Work Text:
Beca comes in the door after a long day at work. She lives with Chloe and Aubrey in a townhouse in New York. Aubrey is an attorney working with major corporations and Chloe works as a nurse in the pediatric unit of the local hospital. Beca works at a radio station part time and DJs on the side. When she walks in she sees Aubrey on the couch reading what looks like a novel. She mumbles a hello to Aubrey before she quickly shuffles down to the hallway before Aubrey can ask any questions.
Beca winces pain shooting from her neck down her arm, it really bothering her tonight. After showering and changing into comfy clothes she nervously walks down the hallway back to the living room. She walks into the kitchen opening cupboards not even sure what she is looking for, not even hungry. She fills a glass of water and takes a sip. Then she walks back to the living room and then back down the hall. Finally she walks back through the kitchen and back to the living room.
"Sweetheart, you are going to wear a path in the floor," Aubrey finally says looking up from her book after watching her lap a few times.
Beca blushes a bit. "Just getting some water," she mumbles.
Aubrey, Chloe and Beca have been together about 2 months. Chloe and Aubrey had been together for two years before they realized they were in love with Beca when she had moved in with them a year ago. Sometimes Beca is still unsure about Aubrey. She knows she loves her and she loves Aubrey but their relationship is different than the one between Chloe and Aubrey and her and Chloe.
Aubrey smiles, "You already got water." She points to the glass sitting on the kitchen table that she can see from her spot on the couch. She closes her book and pats the couch.
Beca sits down next to Aubrey doing her best not to crowd her.
Aubrey eyes Beca's body language. "Are you in pain tonight?" she gently asks. She sets her book aside and focuses on Beca.
Beca nods, "Yes it hurts today."
Aubrey moves slowly putting her arm around Beca giving her a chance to pull away if she wanted to. When Beca didn't move away Aubrey pulls her into her side. "Did you take a pain pill yet?" Aubrey asks raising an eyebrow.
Beca stiffens and avoids eye contact.
"Beca...," Aubrey says noticing the avoidance.
"Ughhhhhh nooooo," Beca whines leaning against Aubrey snuggling in a bit deeper enjoying the closeness.
"And why not?" Aubrey tilts her head.
"“Because… they make me loopy. Emotional. Sleepy. Weird," Beca answers. Chloe usually convinces her to take a pain pill right before bed to help her sleep but today the pain is bugging her more than normal.
Aubrey sighs, "I know sweetheart but it is only until you are all healed up from surgery."
Beca's breath catches the reminder of her impending neck surgery hitting her. "Yes, next week," she breathes out.
"You are scared," Aubrey realizes.
"A bit," Beca admits.
"You don't have to pretend with me sweetheart."
"I know," Beca replies, "I just don't like to bother you."
Aubrey tilts Beca's face up to meet hers, "Hey, you are never a bother to me, I love you."
Beca nods meeting Aubrey's serious face with hers.
"Now pain med time," Aubrey says firmly. "I'll make you a snack, you can take the med and then you can lay on the couch with me. Chloe is going to be late most likely, she told me before leaving for work that they had her in the Children's ER today."
Aubrey puts together a cut up apple, a couple pretzels and a couple slices of cheese on a plate. She hands it to Beca to eat. Beca eats most of it while squirming in her chair clearly in pain. Then Aubrey hands her a glass of apple cider knowing it is one of her favorites and a pill out of the orange bottle on the top of the fridge.
Beca hesitates but takes it her throat tightening in anticipation of the onslaught of emotions that will undoubtedly wreak havoc on her person.
Aubrey leads Beca back to the couch pulling her back into her side so she can lean into her.
15 minutes later Aubrey can tell the second the pain pill hits Beca. She melts into Aubrey's side snuggling deeper her muscles untensing, her shoulders sagging. Aubrey smirks slightly, "How are you feeling baby girl?"
Beca grins her eyes droopy and her cheeks flushed from the pill, "Better."
"Can we watch a Disney movie?" Beca asks.
Aubrey nods grabbing the remote. "Any one in particular sweetheart?"
"Beauty and the Beast."
Aubrey queues it up on the TV.
Less than a minute later Beca is slowly wiggling her way into Aubrey's lap. Aubrey smiles taking the rare opportunity to hold her girlfriend who is affectionate sure, but not like this with all her guards down at least not like this. Aubrey wraps her arms around Beca's waist holding her tight.
Beca looks up at Aubrey with a dopey grin and eyes slightly glazed over. "Being in your arms makes me feel safe."
Aubrey's eyes twinkle looking down at Beca in her arms, "I am glad sweetheart, I want you to always feel safe with me."
Beca whimpers a beat later, now the emotional part hitting her, “I miss Chloe.”
Just then the sound of the front door opening and shutting echoes across the house. "I am home," Chloe softly calls out dropping her bag off her shoulder and dropping her keys in the bowl in the entryway.
Aubrey lifts her head to call back, "We are in here Chlo."
"Chloeeeeeee," Beca whines dramatically. "I missed you."
Chloe comes into the living room. "I missed you to baby, you okay?" She gives a glance at Aubrey surprised at their normal guarded girlfriend sprawled in Aubrey's lap looking very much at home and content.
Aubrey smiles indulgently down at Beca and then looks back at Chloe. "I gave her a pain pill."
"Ahhh so we have entered 'emotional truth time?'" Chloe asks.
Aubrey flicks a nod over Beca’s head, sly enough that Beca doesn’t catch it.
Beca fidgets wiggling, "Aubrey made me."
Aubrey rolls her eyes fondly. "You were in pain sweetheart." She turns to Chloe, "She needed it."
Beca squirms and groans, "'m hot." She tugs at the hoodie she has on pulling it away from her body.
Chloe looks at Beca sympathetically brushing some hair off of her face, "That's the narcotic baby. Do you want an ice pack?"
Beca nods burying her face into Aubrey inhaling her lavender body wash. Aubrey tightens her arms around her in response.
Chloe stands up and comes back with one of their bigger ice packs wrapped in a soft kitchen towel. "Neck baby?"
"Yes please," Beca replies.
Chloe gently places the ice pack on the back of Beca's neck. Beca sighs in pleasure feeling the cooling effects immediately.
"I like cuddling with you," Beca babbles, her voice unguarded.
Chloe’s grin widens loving this honest unguarded side of their girlfriend. "You can have cuddles whenever you want, baby."
Beca lowers her gaze. "I don’t always know how to ask but I do want to be close to you both." She looks up at them both her eyes glassy.
Aubrey leans in, her tone steady but tender. "Sweetheart, you don’t have to overthink it. We love having you close — anytime, in any way you’re comfortable."
"Aubrey is right, everything is always at your pace baby," Chloe chimes in.
"Do you guys ever miss it just being you two in the relationship?" Beca blurts out fidgeting.
Aubrey and Chloe's eyes snap up to meet each other's over Beca's head.
Chloe jumps in quickly to reassure their highly emotional girlfriend, "No baby, Aubrey and I of course were happy before you but you complete us in ways we didn't know we were missing until we met you." She gently brushes Beca's hair back her thumb stroking her cheek lovingly.
"Chloe is right, you bring out the best in us. Both you and her bring out my softness. You bring out her playful side. And I think we bring down your emotional walls. You complete us in all the best ways sweetheart and we are so lucky to have you," Aubrey further explains.
Beca further relaxes into Aubrey's lap her eyes fluttering fighting sleep now. "I know I am not always the easiest, with my walls and emotional baggage, but I do love you both, so much."
"Shhhhh we know sweetheart, we love all the parts of you," Aubrey squeezes Beca gently.
"All parts baby," Chloe smiles rubbing her hand up and down Beca's thigh.
Beca's eyes flutter again drooping shut fighting against the pills increasing effects. Her muscles relaxing further into Aubrey.
Aubrey and Chloe give each other another knowing look having a conversation with their eyes above Beca's head.
"Baby, why don't we get you to bed," Chloe smiles stroking Beca's cheek. Beca leans in to the touch.
Beca shifts, "Can I cuddle in the middle?"
Aubrey nods, "Absolutely."
All three get up and head to their bedroom. Chloe changes out of her hospital clothes and Aubrey into sleep clothes. "Lets get you something cooler to sleep in baby," she tells Beca handing her shorts and a tank top.
After Beca changes they all three crawl into bed with Beca in the middle.
"I love you both," Her voice fades into sleep, steady breaths between them, the three of them wrapped up in blankets and each other.
Chloe and Aubrey once again smile at each other before falling asleep themselves.