#I dressed nice yesterday bec I was like ‘oh she always dresses nice why not try wearing smthn nice today’

[anthaathi]

I have a small crush on this girl right, and brooo 😭

[beca-mitchell]

i think you should come live with me (1/1)

Summary: Chloe and Beca at age 7 begin to learn more about the notion of family and what that means for both of them. 

Part of the daylight au. You can thank @asimplefavors for this because she texted me, inspired by “seven” by Taylor Swift...fic title from that very song.

Word count: 2,345

Read below or on AO3

* * * * *

LOCATION: Brookline, MA MONTH: August/September AGE: 7

* * * * *

 Beca’s parents start fighting close to the end of their first year in Brookline. It starts off small. Little arguments here and there, sometimes involving Beca, but mostly involving their own unhappiness with each other.

It only escalates from there, Beca seeing less and less of her father as he stays late at work. Teaching, according to her mother, but she picks up something different in her mother’s tone that she doesn’t like. She often chooses instead to focus on her food, too afraid to ask once more why daddy isn’t coming home once again for dinner.

Now, two years into living in Massachusetts, Beca still kind of feels like she doesn’t belong. Like the kids are still looking at her weird because she doesn’t like running around as much as they do...well, only if Chloe makes her or encourages her. Then she doesn’t mind it so much.

If it weren’t for Chloe Beale, Beca thinks that things would be much worse. It is the new environment and the new house and the new school, Beca’s sure of it. She hates change as much as any other young child, but she feels marginally lucky that she has Chloe.

Chloe, who consistently manages to drag her out of the house every day leading up to the first day of school at the end of each summer, mostly because she simply knows that Beca is nervous and she wants to make her feel better.

That, to Beca, is more than she could have ever asked for.

She watches Chloe hum to herself as they both sit under the big tree in Chloe’s backyard. It is their favourite spot to get away to, especially after a long day at school. Beca likes when Chloe’s mom brings them snacks and lets them play outside until they’re tired and Chloe has to practically drag Beca home, usually to the sight of Beca’s father’s disapproving stare looking down at both of them.

“I don’t want to go home,” Beca announces. She isn’t quite sure where it comes from, but she lets it out nonetheless because she has seen Chloe do it before. Chloe always speaks her mind and always makes sure her voice is heard.

Chloe sits up, propping herself up on her elbows. She frowns at Beca. “But we can’t have a sleepover. There’s school tomorrow, Bec.”

“No...I just...don’t like...going home.” She hates how timid she sounds, but it’s the truth. She waits for Chloe to process that.

Chloe takes a moment to stare at her. Beca notices that Chloe does that frequently, like she understands exactly what is going through Beca’s mind at any given moment. Beca finds it both terrifying but oddly comforting. It is comforting knowing that Chloe cares so much about her and they are, as Chloe puts it, best friends forever, but the intensity of Chloe’s gaze is sometimes just…

“Is it...your dad?” Chloe finally asks, severing Beca’s train of thought. She doesn’t sound judgmental, not even close. She simply sounds concerned, eyes fixed on Beca with sympathy.

Beca’s eyes widen. She hadn’t told Chloe. At least, she didn’t remember telling Chloe. “I...I just don’t like it when they fight,” she admits quietly. “Your house is nicer.” She feels guilty that her immediate thought is that Chloe will judge her or even get upset at her, but she knows that Chloe would never.

“I heard them once,” Chloe confesses. She sits up, wrapping her arms around her knees so she can peer at Beca more closely. “The window was open and I was outside.”

“Oh,” Beca murmurs, embarrassed mostly. “I don’t know. I just…when they yell…”

Chloe immediately pulls her in for a hug, startling Beca into silence.

Beca squeezes back—hugging is still an art form she’s learning from Chloe herself—but she finds herself sinking into the hug.

It is as easy as breathing, especially with Chloe.

 * * * * *

 When Beca leaves that night, Chloe mulls over what Beca had said earlier. She pushes her food around her plate, pouting mostly, as her brother chats animatedly with her parents. She wants so badly to fix things for Beca, but she has no idea how.

She glances up when her brother begins talking about how his friend’s family just began to foster a couple of puppies.

“Mommy? Daddy?” Chloe chimes in, ignoring the dirty look Max gives her when she cuts him off. She places her fork primly next to her plate and fixes her parents with the most innocent expression she can muster.

“Suck-up,” Max mutters, kicking her under the table.

She ignores that for the time being. “Can Beca come stay with us?”

Alice tilts her head, staring with curiosity at her youngest child. “For a sleepover?” She glances at her husband. “Baby, you know it’s a weekday. You have school tomorrow.”

“No, not for a sleepover.” Chloe pouts at her plate. “Forever.”

Chloe glances up when an extended silence follows her statement. She wonders if she said something entirely inappropriate or wrong.

Max scoffs, but otherwise stays silent, choosing to let their parents handle it.

“Chloe,” her father states. “Beca can’t stay with us forever. Why would you ask that?”

“Because Beca’s so unhappy at her house. I want her to stay here.”

“Chloe, she can’t,” her father reiterates.

“Greg,” Alice murmurs. “Chloe,” she calls across the table. “Baby, Beca can’t stay with us even if she is unhappy.” She smiles sadly at her daughter. “I know you want to protect your friend, but Beca has a family of her own and they would miss her very much if she lived with us.”

“Beca’s mom and dad are always fighting,” Chloe confesses. “I hear it sometimes.”

“You do? What have you heard?”

Chloe shrugs, picking up her fork again. “I don’t know. Stuff. I just know Beca’s sad.”

The topic is put to rest for the remainder of dinner.

Later, as Chloe climbs into bed, a worried expression still on her face, her mother joins her in her bedroom, gently shutting the door behind her. “Chloe, my sweet, sweet baby,” she murmurs, sitting on the edge of Chloe’s bed as her daughter continues to pout at her. “You know that Beca is always welcome over.”

“Yes,” Chloe mumbles. “But why can’t we just keep her?”

“She isn’t like a pet, sweetheart. You know that, right?”

“No, she’s my best friend,” Chloe corrects.

“I know, Chloe. You are, of course, very very sweet to think of her best interests.” At Chloe’s confusion, she smiles. “You care a lot about her,” she amends.

“I do.”

“Sleepovers on weekends are fine, but we can’t just take Beca from her home. People get in trouble for that kind of stuff, okay?”

“I don’t like seeing her sad.”

“I know.” Alice’s heart breaks for her daughter’s best friend. Beca is small and quiet, but she has seen how lively and happy Beca could be. Usually only around her own daughter. She adores little Beca Mitchell because of how happy the girl makes Chloe. She wonders what Beca’s own parents think of her daughter’s influence on their daughter’s life.

“I want to keep her,” Chloe declares, though with a tinge of sleepiness, finally.

"I know," Alice repeats, pressing a kiss to her daughter's forehead. "I love you." 

 * * * * *

 The next day, Beca and Chloe go about their days at school as best as they can. They didn’t manage to stay in the same class for their school year, so Chloe can only really see Beca at recess, but she’s excited just to see Beca and drag her over to their house after school.

Chloe has long stopped asking why they rarely go over to Beca’s house. Beca just likes her house better and Chloe hasn’t complained once. She loves having Beca in her house. She loves seeing Beca giggle over the fun snacks her mother always brings them. Fun dinosaur-shaped nuggets. Tater tots. Nicely sliced fruits.

Today, Alice Beale has bright smoothies waiting for them when they trudge through the front door.

“Shoes off, girls!” she calls as they rush through the front foyer.

Chloe pulls Beca into the living room where their smoothies are waiting for them. She gasps excitedly upon seeing them. “Yay! Mom never makes smoothies!”

“These look good.” Beca smiles at Chloe’s mother. “Thank you, Mrs. Beale.”

“Beca, you are so much more well-mannered than my own child.”

Beca blushes immediately under the attention and turns back quickly to the television where Chloe is loading up recorded music videos.

“Girls, I have some fun things for you, if you want to play dress-up.”

Chloe turns quickly. “I want to see!”

“I have some old dresses and shirts and clothes. Maybe you can put on a fashion show for us later. Or just figure out which things I can throw out. Hm?”

“Okay!”

 * * * * *

 “These are so big,” Beca says, holding out her arms with the sleeves flowing freely over her hands. “Maybe too big.”

“We look funny.”

“I kind of like that,” Beca says shyly. She smiles at Chloe in the reflection of the oversized mirror.

“Beca,” Chloe says slowly. “I asked my parents yesterday whether we could keep you.”

Beca pauses from where she is attempting to tie a very large belt around her waist. “You what?”

“I don’t know,” Chloe says quickly. It sounds silly now, but she wants Beca to know, at least, that Chloe cares so much about her. “You were just sad about going home. And I thought...maybe...what if you just never went home. But my mom and dad said no. I’m sorry.”

Chloe sounds so genuinely distressed that Beca nearly trips over herself to quickly pull Chloe into a tight hug. “Don’t be sorry!” She feels affection well up inside of her—affection she didn’t even know she had for Chloe—and she quickly squashes it down, focusing on the feeling of Chloe hugging her back. “Thank you,” she murmurs, as Chloe’s arms tighten around her.

In all honesty, Beca hadn’t considered that. Not even while they had been sitting out by the large tree in Chloe’s backyard the day before. Or any of the days before that. But now, she kind of wonders why she hadn’t considered it before. It seems kind of pointless now, since Chloe’s parents said no...but…

Chloe draws back from the hug and grins widely at Beca, missing teeth at all. “Want to play house?”

Beca smiles back, excited already at the prospect of a new adventure with her best friend.

 * * * * *

 Later that night as Beca settles down for dinner with her own family, she can’t quite wipe the smile from her face. It had been somewhat freeing—so fun, of course—to play house with Chloe. Being silly with Chloe, trying on oversized clothes. Then letting Chloe’s mother take pictures of them together with silly expressions on their face.

It is Beca’s mother who notices the smile on her face first. She stands at the stove, stirring something slowly while Beca sits quietly with her father at the table. “Did you have fun at Chloe’s?”

Beca thinks her father clears his throat, but he doesn’t say anything, so she keeps her eyes on her mother’s face. Well, the side of it anyway. “Yeah. We played dress-up and did our homework.”

“That sounds fun.”

“We played house too. I like playing house with Chloe. She makes me laugh a lot.”

“You played house,” Beca’s father echoes, putting his mug down on the table with a small amount of force. It startles her and she looks to him guiltily, though for what reason, she still doesn’t know. “Rebecca, you know that you can’t play house with another girl, right?”

“Warren, please, not now. She didn’t mean it that way.”

“Of course she did. It’s because you let her spend time with those damn leftist hippies,” he growls back. Beca winces, shrinking in her seat. “Beca, listen to me carefully, okay? Two girls cannot play house because that game is about pretending to be a family. Being married, Beca. You can't do that."

“Why can’t Chloe be my family too?” Beca asks, confusion her tone. She is mostly just confused, which is why she's arguing back. It feels wrong, what her father is saying her. She could have sworn that Chloe’s mom said—

“Because to be family means that you two would have to be married and you can’t have that, okay?”

“Mrs. Beale said that—she said that one day—”

“She said that one day, what?” her father demands. She quickly looks away, tears stinging her eyes. She isn’t even sure why she had bothered arguing or talking back to him. “Do you see what happens when you let our child do whatever she wants?”

“Warren, not now.” Beca hates that tone her mother uses. It means that the fight will likely last well into the night.

“I’m tired of you constantly challenging the way I want to raise our daughter. This is what’s right and you know that. Those people aren’t good influences. Look at what they're turning her into! What’s the matter with you?”

“It’s rich that you want to have a say now that you’re home for the first time in weeks. When was the last time you tucked her in? When was the last time you picked her up from school? I’m running myself dry here, Warren.”

Beca stares forlornly at the table in front of her, thinking back wistfully to what Chloe had said earlier. The thought of being part of Chloe’s family. Or even just a family with Chloe herself. That would be nice.

Beca thinks it would be nice, maybe, to spend the rest of her life being friends with Chloe, as long as she gets to keep her in her life.

It is a nice imaginary escape for the moment.

It is an escape until she can see her best friend again under that big tree where they both feel invincible.

fin.

[deamstellarus]

A Touch of Ink (8)

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: Sad days are here

Word Count: 4374

Warnings: Uhm, so about that angst..

A/N: So I’ll be honest, idk how I feel about this chapter. It’s how I pictured the story, but it doesn’t flow as well as it probably could have, and instead of splitting it into two short chapters, I kept them together and made it a longer one.. What’s done is done, I suppose.

Series Masterlist | Ch. 1 | Ch. 2 | Ch. 3 | Ch. 4 | Ch. 5 | Ch. 6 | Ch. 7

Chapter 8: 

The moment you woke up, you knew something was wrong. Bucky wasn’t next to you in his bed like you’d gotten used to over the past month. The sheets beside you were cold, the door was cracked open. You strained your hearing to possibly catch the sound of movement in the kitchen but the apartment was silent. You glanced at the clock and it was 7:42 a.m. You checked your phone for  any messages from Bucky but that turned out to be a bust too. Where is he?

On the other side of the hall, you could hear Noah waking up and you knew you needed to get him up and ready for school today. You ran a hand over your face and rubbed the sleep from your eyes before you pulled on your clothes from yesterday and headed into Noah’s room. The morning routine went fairly smoothly, especially for it being your first time doing it alone. Noah was dressed and eating breakfast by 8:15, which left you a good amount of time to freshen up before you took him to school. He babbled about Peter’s aunt making Peter cookies and how he tried one and they weren’t as good as yours but he loves chocolate chip so he ate them anyway when Peter offered. You were almost ready to go when Noah asked the question you’d been dreading.

“Where’s Daddy, Y/N?” Noah asked as you helped him into his backpack.

“Uhm… Daddy just had to go to work early today, so you’re stuck with me walking you to school. Is that alright?”

“Hmm,” he tapped his finger to his chin. “Yeah, I guess so.” You checked your phone again for messages but your inbox still showed no new messages.

“Alright little guy, let’s go!” The two of you headed down the street toward the elementary school. Noah waved and said, “good morning,” to everyone he passed, just like every day.

After you dropped him off, you stopped by Black Widow. The shop looked different than it normally does in the middle of the day. Not all of the lights were on yet, instead only one in the back and the one over the front desk. No one was up front so you called out, hoping Bucky would pop out from the back.

“Hello?”

Nat emerged from the back hall, cradling a cup of coffee like her life depended on it. She nodded to you before she took a long sip of the liquid caffeine.

“Hey, Nat. Is Bucky here?” She quirked an eyebrow at you.

“No, he took the day off. I thought he would have told you.” You were sure your face reflected the confusion on hers though for various reasons.

“Oh, well thanks. Can you let him know I came by if you see him?” She nodded and you left, and went to the Hideout. Becca had to know where he was. Becca’s smile faded when she saw the worry written on your face.

“What’s wrong, honey?”

“Bucky wasn’t in the apartment when I woke up and he isn’t answering my texts, and he isn’t at Black Widow. I don’t know where he is,” you blurted all in one breath. You were starting to panic a bit, well, more than a bit. “Have you seen him?”

“Oh, Y/N. Honey,” Becca came out from behind the counter and pulled you into her embrace, patting your back. “Today is Bucky’s dark day. It’s the day Dot died.”

You gasped and pulled out of her grasp. That made so much sense now. Why he’d been acting weird all week, well all month really. Why he wasn’t there this morning when you woke up. How could you have been so dumb and not realized what today was? He’d told you all about her death. You shook your head to clear your thoughts. You had to go to him.

“Is he… where is he?” you asked.

“He’s most likely at the cemetery, just down the road, then take a left and then a right and you’ll see it after a mile,” she pointed. “Or he’s down by the docks.” You nodded.

“Thanks, Becca.”

“No problem, honey. Let me know if either of you need anything. Anything at all.”

“I will.”

You followed the directions Becca gave you and soon enough, you found yourself at the entrance of the cemetery. It wasn’t large by any means, but it wasn’t tiny either. It was old however, some headstones were weathered and some cracked, and you spotted several dates of death as old as 1927. Toward the back by the treeline, there were newer headstones, and that’s where you spotted the lone figure crouched next to a headstone. You quietly walked over to Bucky, careful not to startle him and interrupt him just yet. Bucky’s head rested against the headstone, a half dozen roses were laid across the base. After a few moments, you kneeled next to him and put your arms around him. He tensed at first but then relaxed in your hold. You ran your fingers through his hair as he cried silent tears. His hands gripped your arm around his chest, not tight enough to hurt, but enough to ground him and comfort him. Something to hold onto.

“I’m sorry, Y/N,” Bucky said, when he’d finally calmed down. “How did you know where to look?”

“James, there’s nothing to be sorry for. After I dropped Noah off at school, I went to the Black Widow and then eventually to the Hideout and Becca told me.”

“Oh, God. Noah. I can’t believe I forgot. Usually he stays with Becca or my parents the night before. He must hate me.” Bucky put his head in his hands.

“James, no one hates you. Noah just thinks you went into work early today. It’s not a big deal.” You put your hand on the back of his neck, rubbing circles onto his skin with your thumb to calm him. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Y/N...that’s not fair to you… you don’t have to do this. Be here even.”

“James, I am here for you, alright? I’m not leaving,” you told him, his chin in your fingers forced him to look at you. “Now if you don’t want to talk about it, that’s alright. But if you do, I’ve got two ears and a ton of time.” Bucky gave a short, breathy laugh.

“Alright Doll.”

He got to his feet and held his hand out to you, and helped you to your feet. Along the path that surrounded the cemetery, there were several benches, donated by local families in honor of loved ones over the years. You both sat on the old wood, leaning into each other. You wrapped your arms around his left arm and crossed your legs. His hand tapped out a light rhythm where is rested on your thigh.

For a while, the two of you sat on that bench. You closed your eyes and laid your head on Bucky’s shoulder while he was lost in his thoughts about the past. An hour passed before Bucky was ready to leave, for now at least. He knew he would need to bring Noah by later, maybe he would hold off until the weekend. You and Bucky headed back toward the main street, hand in hand, under the cloudy sky. Just before you reached the shops, Bucky pulled you to a stop in front of them. Your face must have had confusion written all over it because he kissed your brow and lightly smoothed the wrinkles in your forehead like he’s done when you've been frustrated while you work.

“Dot… she was wonderful. She would light up the room the moment she walked in. Even in high school, she seemed to always have everything under control, and knew me better than most people, besides Becs and Stevie of course.” He took a deep breath. “When she died, I felt like I'd lost half my heart. She left me alone to raise Noah, and I had no clue what to do. But you... sometimes I think Dot is watching over me and Noah. I think she had a hand in pushing us together… She would have loved you, loved how you treat Noah, how kind-hearted you are…

“I love you, Y/N. I never thought I would love someone after her, but I do. I love you, and I understand if it's too soon or if thi-"

You cut him off with a kiss to his lips, your arms wrapped around his neck. His arms wrapped around your waist and held you closer. You pulled back to look into his eyes.

“I love you too, James.” You couldn't hold back the grin, but you decided you didn't want to.

“Well, this was a nice change of plans, Buck!” Steve clapped a hand against Bucky’s back.

“Yeah! Thanks for inviting us!” Wanda giggled as she sipped her hard cider and leaned against Becca.

After you and Bucky had taken Noah to visit his mother’s grave, Bucky mentioned wanting to start anew, to change the day into something more positive instead of a day of mourning. So instead of being alone for the entire day, Bucky texted his friends and planned a last minute hangout session with the group, complete with dinner and board games. Sam, Bucky, Steve, and Clint were sat around the table in Bucky’s apartment, while you, Nat, Becca, and Wanda relaxed on the couches. You’d had enough of the ultra competitive nature of the boys when it came to the games and chose instead to enjoy the company of the girls. It’s been hard to get all of you together, especially with conflicting work schedules. Thor couldn’t come tonight because of work, same with Peggy, while Loki was apparently being “anti-social” according to a grumbling Sam. Even without them, you were still glad there were so many people who cared about Bucky, that would drop whatever plans they might have had and help him change the tone of the day.

“Do you want anything, Doll?” Bucky asked as he placed a kiss on your head. You were in an interesting position indeed. Your legs were laid across Becca’s lap as you leaned into the couch. However, Noah’s body was curled into yours, head on your chest and arms wrapped around your torso as far as they’d go. He was thoroughly knocked out, a long day at school would do that to him, but he begged and begged to be able to hang out with all of you even though it’s a school night. So Bucky agreed, “for only a little while,” which turned out to be awake until 7:30 and then passed out in this position for the next two hours. You didn’t have the heart to move and wake him up so you accepted it and hugged him a bit more.

“Nah, I’m alright, Buck. Thanks though!” You smiled. As soon as he walked away you heard giggling. You shot a look at Wanda.

“Aw, you two are the cutest. I used to think it was Peggy and Steve, they were sickeningly cute when they first started dating. But the two of you? Especially with Noah? You guys are giving me cavities!” Wanda groaned in mock disgust then giggled and happily sighed.

“It’s true though, you and my brother make a good couple. Who knows, pretty soon, we might be hearing wedding bells.” Becca wiggled her eyebrows at you. You rolled your eyes at her.

“It’s way too soon, Becs. If it happens, it happens. But I like where we’re at right now. It’s nice. I’m… really happy with him.” You looked to where Bucky sat at the table, chair facing you, and he winked when you caught his eye.

“Yep, disgustingly cute really does sum it up,” Nat said into her wine glass. You were about to respond when Bucky’s phone rang, which you found odd because majority of his friends were in the same room with you. Maybe it was his parents? Bucky answered and you watched his face turn from content to conflicted. He stood up abruptly and went out into the hall. As the door shut, you looked to your friends to confirm what you saw. Everyone was silent for a minute, confused and concerned looks on their faces, until Bucky opened the door again and sat back in his spot at the table.

“So, uh… what was that about?” Sam asked, almost nonchalantly.

“Nothing important. Don’t worry about it,” Bucky dismissed. “Who’s turn is it?” he asked going back to their game.

“That was weird, right?” Wanda asked in the quietest voice you’d ever heard her speak in.

“Yeah, that was weird,” Becca confirmed.

“Has that happened before, Y/N?” Nat asked. The other girls looked at you too, eyes watching your reaction.

“Yeah, it’s uh… it’s been happening for the past month?” It came out like a question. “I’ve asked about it once or twice but he, uh, said it’s nothing to worry about so I drop it.”

Nat’s eyebrows furrowed together as she tried to solve the mystery of who he could be speaking to all this time.

“It’s not a big deal.” You lied, whether to them or to yourself, you didn’t know.

“Y/N! Y/N!” Noah rushed down the few steps of the elementary school, the next day, to meet you where you stood on the sidewalk. You smiled his way, sending a waving over his head to his teacher by the door.

“How was your day, sweetie?”

“It was awesome! Peter and me played with our new friend Michelle. She likes to draw like Daddy! She showed us her sketchbook like Daddy keeps but we’re supposed to keep it a secret!” He whispers the tail end of his sentence, cupping a hand around his mouth.

“Well I won't tell anyone,” you whisper back. “Let’s go pick up Daddy from work.” You hold your hand out and he grabs it, his little hand dwarfed in yours.

“Can we get ice cream too?” You looked down and regretted the decision instantly. He flashes you his big blue eyes, looking so much like his father's, and you know he's won. You have to talk to Bucky about that little trick of his.

“Yes, we can get some ice cream, but only a small one, and you have to eat all of your dinner today, okay?” He nods his head vigorously. “Pinky promise?” you hold out your pinky finger.

“Pinky promise!” He looks his finger with yours and practically skips along with you down the street. You realize this it's a lost cause but at least you planted the idea in head.

Not too long after, you walk into the ice cream store, instantly hit with the sweet scent of fresh waffle cones. Noah leans on the glass to view the ice cream, hovering around the birthday cake ice cream, complete with sprinkles, and the cookies and cream flavors. He politely asked for a taste of both, before deciding he wanted the birthday cake in a bowl. You selected the rainbow sherbet in a sugar cone.

“Why don’t don’t we get some for Daddy?” you ask the boy. His mouth was already covered in ice cream.

“Oh, we can get him chocolate chip. He likes that one the most! Or was it chocolate? Strawberry?” His face scrunched up as he tried to remember.

“Let’s go with chocolate chip. I'm sure he'd like any of them,” you chuckled.

While you the woman behind the counter scooped the ice cream for Bucky, you looked out shop’s window. You could see the Black Widow from there, and watched as a couple of young women strolled into the tattoo parlor. You thought you recognized the blonde one, and the redhead looked familiar too somehow. It was good though, you thought, that there were women getting tattoos, especially in this town. You had been worried from the confrontation at Noah’s field trip last month, that it would be the mindset of people in this town. That tattoos aren't art, and are “only for men.”

The cashier got your attention and you paid for the cold treats. Noah led the way to Bucky’s job, mostly paying attention to his own treat and not the people he passed on the sidewalk. You were just in front of the shop when Noah dropped his spoon between his slippery fingers. His chin quivered slightly but before the tears could fall, you stopped and gave him the spoon inside the bag you had for Bucky’s ice cream, and Noah happily went back to eating. You glanced inside the shop window, checking to see if he was still busy with a client, in which case you’d just meet him at home.

However, when you peeked in, you were shocked at the scene before you. Bucky stood in the middle of the tattoo parlor with his arms around a blonde woman, one of the girls you'd seen walk into the shop just moments before. Their lips were locked and from what you could tell they were really going at it.

You heart started racing, you could feel the panic beginning. This couldn't happen. Not again. Not like last time. This won't break you. After your ex, you’d decided never again would you let one person have this much influence over you. But you hadn't planned on Bucky Barnes and never suspected that his sweet and caring outward appearance would all be a ruse. But then again, all of those calls came crashing back, all those moments of talking on the phone in a hushed voice or in a different room, avoiding telling me anything about it. How could you have let this happen again?

“Y/N?” Noah’s voice caught your attention. “Why did you drop your ice cream? Do you want to get another?”

You must have dropped it from the shock because on the ground, a rainbow of the now melted treat splattered across the cement. You opened your mouth to respond but were interrupted by a confused yell.

“Why is that lady kissing my daddy?” Noah’s face had gone completely red and tears were already forming in his eyes.

You wanted to break down, between what Bucky was doing and the little seven year old at your feet who was crying full tears now. You took another look one more time in the window and made eye contact with Bucky. Noah started crying, tears streaming down his face and it was all you could do not to go into the parlor and confront Bucky. But not in front of Noah, never in front of his son. You set the bag down on a newspaper stand and scooped up the boy instead, cradling him to your chest. His head was on your shoulder, his fingers gripped your shirt tightly. You turned and glanced in the shop one last time, and made eye contact with Bucky, who seemed surprised to see you there. You shook your head and turned down the street, heading back to the apartment.

You got back faster than you had expected, especially from the additional weight. Instead of going to Bucky’s apartment, you knocked on Steve's door, praying he was awake at home and not asleep. Steve answered after the second round of knocks.

“Y/N?” He looked down at the boy in your arms. “Noah? What's going on? Are you alright? Where’s Bucky?” You couldn't answer, you just shook your head, handing Noah over to Steve.

“I can’t… I can’t…” You choked back a sob. “I have to go.”

You ran through the hall and down the stairs, exiting through the side door. You kept running, you couldn't stop, wouldn't stop, until you got far enough away to catch your breath to make a game plan. You don't know how long you'd been running for before you collapsed to your knees on a small bridge over a pond. You leaned over, your hands on your thighs, panting. Your phone rang but you didn't answer, letting it go to voicemail instead. Ten minutes later, you resolved to calling Sam, knowing he was at the firehouse at the moment. Your hands shook as you dialed his number. He picked up on the first ring.

“What's up, Bunny?” His voice was relaxed but changed when you didn't answer immediately. “Bunny? Y/N?”

You took a deep breath and let out a sob, your body choosing right then to break down.

“Are you okay? Where are you? Talk to me.” His voice was even but even you could hear the frantic edge in his voice now.

“Pond. Old pond.” That's all you could get out clearly.

“Sit tight, Y/N. I'm on my way.”

“Is she here?” Bucky burst through Steve's door, startling Steve, who was in the kitchen making hot chocolate for Noah. Bucky’s eyes searched frantically around Steve's apartment.

“She’s not here, Buck. She left me with Noah maybe half an hour ago. What's going on?” Bucky ran his fingers through his hair roughly.

“Annabelle. She’s been harassing me for the past few weeks.” He sat down at the table, and put his head in his hands. “With it being close to the anniversary of Dot’s death, she called every other day to make sure I remembered how much she hates me. Today she went too far though. I guess she heard about Y/N from a few of her friends in town and decided I don’t deserve to be happy, that I’m a monster and that she’ll “get her to think so too.” She came into the shop today with a friend, who turns out to be Robin, the girl I did that huge leg piece on. I told them to leave, but-" Bucky paused, shaking his head.

“Before I knew what was happening, Annabelle had her phone pointed at me, and Robin lunged at me and kissed me. I was so stunned, I didn't react at first. And then I heard Noah’s voice from outside. I pulled out of her grip and looked out the window to see Y/N watching us through the glass and Noah crying. She took off down the street and I came as soon as I could get them out of the shop.”

“Oh Buck.”

“I've been trying to call her but she won't answer and I went to her apartment but she's not there either.”

Steve put a hand on Bucky’s shoulder. “Bucky breathe. Call Sam. He would know where she is.”

“This is all so messed up. Everything was going so well, Steve.”

“We’ll get this figured out, Buck. It'll be alright. She'll come back.”

Bucky only nodded. Suddenly he turned toward the bedroom, remembering Noah was in the apartment. He opened the door and Noah sat with his knees to his chest, arms wrapped around his legs.

“Hey buddy, are you okay?” Bucky asked. Noah wouldn't look at him. “Come on, come here.” Bucky sat next to him and pulled him into his lap. “Talk to me Noah. What's going on in your head, bud?”

“Why were you kissing that lady? I thought you loved Y/N?” He avoided eye contact still but Bucky would take what he could get.

“What happened today… it’s complicated buddy. I do love Y/N though. You know that, right?”

Noah nodded, and tucked his face into Bucky’s chest.

“Is she going to come back?”

“We’ll get her back Noah, don’t you worry. Y/N loves you too.”

“You have to eat something, baby. There has never been a situation where food hasn't helped you feel at least a little bit better.”

Sam’s mom was an absolute angel. She took you into her arms the moment Sam walked through her front door three days ago. He’d said something about needing to call someone and that he had to take care of things at work but left you in the care of your mom away from home.

“Oh come on now, dear. I've never seen you pass up a chance to eat my macaroni and cheese. I even added the bread crumbs on top the way I know you liked.”

You took a bite and truth be told, it was damn good. Amazing really. You hadn't eaten that in years and instantly you felt like you were ten years old again, Sam’s mom, Mama Darlene, making you a plate of food after Sam tripped you and you twisted your ankle. You ate slowly, savoring the flavors, trying desperately to get the visions of Bucky kissing that girl out of your head.

“Tell me what this is all about now, honey.” She pulled out the seat next to you at the table and sat down, rubbing your back gently.

“Noah and I were heading to see Bucky at work and when I looked through the window and saw him kissing another woman. Noah saw too, and reacted more strongly than I could at the moment, which only confirmed what I saw was true.” You took a deep shuddering breath. “I can't do this again. I thought he was different…”

“Baby, he might be different. Have you talked to him?” You shook your head ‘no.’ “You should hear him out, give him a chance to explain. He is a good man. There must be some reason for what you saw. But I do know your mama and I raised you better than to run away from your problems.”

“Yeah, I- I know.”

She pulled you into her embrace and kissed your temple. “You're stronger than you know, baby. Go talk to him.”

You sigh but nod. “Alright, I will. Thanks Mama.”

You reached for your phone and were just about to dial Bucky’s number when your phone started to ring. It was Steve.

“Hello?” you answered.

“Y/N? Oh my God. I'm glad I got you. There's been an accident-"

“What? With who?”

“Bucky and Noah. They were in a car accident.” Your stomach dropped, and you felt nauseous. Tears streamed down your face and you couldn't breathe. “We’re at the hospital now. Please come.”

[Chapter 9]

[presleepthoughts]

Beca's Blue (Da Ba Dee Da)

Summary: Beca eats Amy’s meatballs while drunk and Fat Amy takes revenge. 

Hope you guys enjoy it :D

She should’ve seen it coming. 

For weeks now, everything was quiet and calm, no drama, no crisis, nothing. Everybody was happy and Beca felt for the first time settled. They continued their routine of rehearsals, always singing the house - every cliche that Beca hated came true at one point or another. 

They knew each other. Everybody had their own stuff that the other weren’t allowed to touch or mess around with. Like Emily’s diary that she sometimes wrote songs in or Cynthia Rose’s playboy collection that she swore wasn’t hers but still kept in under her bed. Everybody had their special thing that they would kill for. 

For Fat Amy, that was her specially made meatballs. 

You weren’t allowed to touch it and everybody knew that. 

However, a slightly drunk - okay, really drunk - Beca didn’t give a fuck. 

She wondered into the kitchen at their annual Friday party, completely wasted and went ahead, opened the fridge. She shielded her eyes because of the harsh light.

“AHH, my eyes! MY EYES!” She shouted and slammed it shut. 

Chloe giggled and walked closer. She had a nice buzz but nowhere near drunk. “Why are you yelling?” 

“Th - the sun! Why is the sun in the fridg - fridge! IT’s burning my eyes, Chloe!” 

Chloe laughed, she loved Drunk Beca. She opened it again, turning back to the brunette. “It’s not the sun, silly. It’s just a light. And your eyes are fine. Beautiful even.” 

She flirted smoothly, pressing a wet kiss on Beca’s cheek causing the brunette to grimace and wipe her face. 

They had been dating for about four months now and Chloe couldn’t be happier. It was everything she thought it would be and more. 

“I’m hungry, Chlo...” Beca whined pathetically, bending over to look inside the fridge. Her eyes widen in surprise when she found the meatballs at the back. She pulled it out and showed it to Chloe.

“Look! It’s - it’s balls!” Beca laughed loudly at her own joke. “Hey, somebody left their balls in the fridge!” She shouted out, looking around the kitchen. 

Chloe seeing the food reached out and tried to grab it from her girlfriend. “Oh, no, honey. Those are Amy’s. You can’t eat them.” 

Beca looked back at her adorably confused. “Amy has balls?!” 

“Noooo....” Chloe smiled fondly. “It’s her meatballs. She’s going to kill you if you eat them.” 

“Ohhh.” Beca nodded understandingly then shrugged. “But - but I - I’m hungry sooo - I’m gonna eat it.” 

She grinned at Chloe and before the redhead could do anything Beca took off and ran into the crowd, disappearing from Chloe’s sight. 

The next morning, Beca slumped over her cereal, utterly hangover while Chloe bounced into the room like the sunshine she was. 

“Good morning, sweetie.” She greeted, skipping over to Beca and dropping a kiss on her head. Beca murmured something but kept swirling her spoon in the bowl. Chloe grinned and didn’t try to pull her into a conversation knowing she needed time to come back from the dead. 

Not long after, all the other Bellas appeared including Fat Amy who immediately went to the fridge. Seeing this, Beca groaned. 

“Dude, I totally ate your thing yesterday.” Beca said nonchalantly. 

Amy froze on her spot, her head in the fridge and Chloe waited nervously how she was going to react. She stood behind Beca, gently messaging her shoulders.

Fat Amy pulled back and Chloe furrowed her eyebrows at the megawatt smile that was plastered on her face. 

“No biggie, DJ. The big B.M. The awesomest person I know...” She kept mumbling to herself as she closed the fridge.   

‘Oh-oh.’ Chloe thought to herself while Beca shrugged. 

“I probably did you a favor ‘cause they were disgusting. Too much spice and it was soggy.” Beca grimaced. “Felt like I was eating wet tennis balls.”

“Okay, I think she get it, Becs.” Chloe interrupted before Beca could go on, watching Amy’s smile slowly slip from her expression and a glint appeared in her eyes. 

She didn’t like that look. Not one bit.

Beca tiredly climbed the stairs after her last class of the day and headed into the empty bathroom for a shower. Shedding her clothes off, she stepped inside the stall and sighed under the warm stream. 

Suddenly the power cut off and the room was pitch black.

“What the hell?!” She said loudly. “Girls!” 

She reached to shut off the water as somebody opened the door to the bathroom.

“Beca? It’s Emily.” 

“What the hell happened?” Beca asked and tried to adjust to the dark.

“I don’t - don’t know. Stacy went to check on the power outlet but Benji called, they don’t have power as well. I think it’s the whole campus.”

“Where’s Chloe? And the others?” 

“In the living room, setting up candles. Chloe’s still out.” Emily explained. 

Beca nodded to herself. “Okay, go downstairs and stay there. I’ll be right there.” 

“Okay.” 

Beca heard some shuffling before Emily shut the door. She pondered about what she should do. Finish her shower in the dark or just dry herself off and go downstairs to the others. 

She was already in the shower and she had a crappy day so she thought, ‘what the hell.’ and turned back the water.

She blindly got dressed (almost falling head first into the bathtub twice because her foot caught into her jeans) and she walked downstairs slowly and carefully. 

As soon as she reached the last step the living room light suddenly turned on, and Beca squinted at the bright light. 

“What the -” She mumbled and opened her eyes, seeing the Bellas standing in a line. Everything was frozen for a second before all of them started hysterically laughing. 

Beca watched in confusion as CR fall onto the couch, holding her stomach while Jessica wiped the tears from her eyes from laughing so much. Ashley was bend over at the waist, repeatedly pointing at Beca. 

“What’s going on?” Beca demanded sternly as she scanned the room, finally finding Fat Amy in the corner of the room with an evil smirk on her face. 

Oh, no.

Beca’s eyes widen in fear as she started looking around, searching for...she didn’t know what! A trap, a piano above her head just waiting to be dropped or something that had Amy smiling like the cheshire cat. 

Finally she looked down and - 

Her entire body from her neck down was blue. 

Fucking blue! 

“Beca, I think Papa Smurf is looking for you.” Fat Amy said loudly sending the Bellas into another laughing fit. 

“What the hell, Amy!” She shrieked, rubbing her arm with her hand trying to get the paint off but it wouldn’t budge. “How...What...What is this?!

“It’s revenge!” Amy replied, moving closer. “I slipped a little body paint in your shower gel.”

Beca paled as she realized that she showered in the dark. 

“B - But the power and - and Emily!” Beca stuttered, pointing a finger toward Emily.

Fat Amy smirked. “Yeah, a good enough idea came out of her mouth for once.” 

Beca gaped. She couldn’t believe they tricked Emily into this. Sweet, sweet Emily. 

“That’s what you get for eating my stuff, Short stack. FYI, it’s made by blind monks from the Philippines and it’s delicious!” 

Everybody stopped and looked at Amy for a second in confusion. And that moment, Chloe stepped through the front door with two groceries bags in her arms. 

“Ummm, why is my girlfriend blue?” 

Stacie snickered. “She’s just working on her Smurfette impression.” 

Beca crossed her arms - very blue arms - over her chest and furrowed her eyebrows angrily. 

“Nah Stacie, I think she’s going for Grouchy Smurf.” CR joined the fun, laughing louder as Beca huffed and ran up the stairs. “Wait, quick Beca hide Gargamel is coming!”   

“I hate you all!” She screamed and slammed the door shut behind her.

A few minutes later, Chloe walked inside and saw Beca in front of the mirror. She stepped behind her and wrapped her arms around her waist, pulling her into her chest.

“I’m gonna kill her in her sleep tonight.” Beca murmured grumpily as Chloe smiled at her sweetly. 

“No, you won’t. It was just a stupid prank. She told me the pain will come off with vinegar.” 

“Dude, I’m blue!” Beca emphasized the word like Chloe couldn’t see it. 

“I know, but jokes on Amy becaaause....” Chloe leaned closer to Beca’s ear and whispered seductively, “I totes had the hots for Smurfette when I was little.” She nipped Beca’s earlobe and the brunette swallowed. 

Yeah, maybe Beca wouldn’t mind being blue for one more night.

Suck it, Amy.

The End.

[sayadesrina]

Chapter 1 - It Never Has A Meaning, It Does

(If Chloe was a designer, and Beca still on music label production)

Brooklyn, New York

*** 'Where are some manners went through nowadays ?' Chloe packed her bag and looking for her assistant, that already gone 3 hours long just for lunch! She just want to step out through her door’s room, when the one that she looked for already stood up in front of the door and ready to knock. “Seriously Riles? It’s already 4! What are you ate? Bunch of rocks?”, Chloe step forward through Riley, and stop near by the desk that full of anything that she’s always considered as garbage. “..and please can somebody throw away these whole shits from this desk?” “Noted boss”, Riley following Chloe that has appointment for meeting up their new client. It takes 2 hours long to ride on their destination, they should go since 2 PM just because Riley, she took a deep breath for waited her assistant back from her ‘Gone with the wind that already been her habit, for lifetime’. Chloe take driver seat, although it’s not her own car that they always used to company needs. The company owned it. She let Riley to take seat beside her, the passenger one. “Where have you been Riles? I’m just wondering..” “Something urgent happened, okay? Can you just chill out?”, her sighed does sounds like she’s sick of any Chloe’s pep talk about her. “..and can you just told me about that? Maybe I can help you out” Riley have no word that come out from her mouth. “I’m sorry if I way to hard on you, but you must to know, that manner will always make you grow up.”

***

The Apartment

“Hey ginger! How’s it going?” was first voice that Chloe hear when she’s unlock her apartment’s door. She throw herself into the couch ready to nap, “Chloe Beale save the day again, yay!” she’s rolled her eyes. “Wait…what?!” “It’s Riley, Becs. She’s always freak me out! How’s she can get promoted if she’s always acted like a dumb”, Chloe grab her pillow to cover her face. “Did you mean, dumb and dumber”, she pointed her finger to Chloe’s face. “What do you mean?!” “Yeah, you’re the dumber one, you knew that she’s unreliable, but you still kept her tho.” Beca giggling while make something on her cup. “If her mother not forced my mother that made my mother finally forced me, to brought her into the company.” “You need to relax Chlo, here” She handed a cup of coffee to Chloe. “…and now, you have to make your smart brain to think harder, you have to train her.” She raised her eyebrow. The whole expressions that Beca got from her, tells Beca every big question in Chloe’s mind. “Yasss, you’ve got all the talents that every designer want to have…and now you have to give your nephew at least one of them. So, she can be useful for you, got it ?” “You’re the genius one Becs!” Chloe drained her cup and ready to build her ideas into reality.

***

Residual Heat Studio

Beca open her door’s room and find a guy that very familiar to her, that she hasn’t seen for long time. “Jesse? What are you doing here?” Her shouted make Jesse startled. “Ohh…Hi Beca!” The door’s room opened again, “Hey Beca, Sorry I’m forgot to tell you that you have a visitor…” Her voice getting slower. Stacie feel the awkwardness inside the room, she’s turn around quickly and leave them together. Beca raised her eyebrow, “So, you haven’t answered my question.” “Ah, yes. So, I came back here from New York, finally got my proper job, thank God! I owned these theatrical things, and I need to find some creative roles to fill it…” Jesse’s explanation make her forehead’s frown, still talkative, she’s think. “…I’m already looked for long time, and I got none. Besides…” “Ah, please don’t say that..” “…I’m really missed you Beca!” one simple sentence that made Beca’s smirk. *sigh “So, what do you want, dude?” Beca fix her table that make it even worse, because actually she’s way to word ‘neat’, and Chloe always took the role. Jesse step slightly to Beca, shown his delightful smile that always being remembered by her. “Can you help me to fulfill my dream?” “Ugh, gross! Stay away from me Jess, at least 3 metres away...” That make Jesse step backward on her. “…and why I have to help you with that?” “Because, we’re lover!” “..ex-lover, you mean by that?” Beca’s smirk again and again. “haha you’re so funny, we didn’t broke up baby.” “What? Are you insane? You broke me up last year, because you have to go to New York with your bitch-girlfriend and…” Beca’s lower her notes. “…really, did we have to talk about it again?” she’s grumbled, and step forward to door. “Please, Jess just leave. I’m happy here without you anymore.” “But, Beca…” Beca open the door, and look at Stacie, “Stace, call the security to escort this dude into the front door, please ?” “Oh..sure!” “But, Bec…Beca…wait up..” and Jesse’s voice dissapeared with the door’s slammed. dung! New message!

From : Fat Amy Message : Hey Babes! Don’t forget to attend our party tonight, don’t even dare to late! Those guys are ready for us! See y’all!!

“Ah…nice!”

***

In The Club

“Hello…bitchesss!!” Amy run and suddenly hug the whole gangs tightly. “Ugh..stop it Ames, I can’t breathe!” Beca grumbled. “I missed you guys!” No one more excited than Amy tonight. “Uhm..please Ames, we lived together with Chloe, remember that?” “Not you Brunette!” Lily bring some bottles and glasses to their table, to get drunk intentionally. It’s already 3 hours since they talked about anything in their life. Aubrey and Emily dancing and singing wilder than anyone else tonight. Stacie was too busy to flirt with some guys on the other table. Beca look around, and get something not usual that she didn’t recognized earlier. “Where’s Chloe?” “Yeah, where’s our party starter?!” Aubrey already got drunk, and hold two bottles in her both hands. Everyone shook their heads, because no one know where’s Chloe now, or what was she doing now. “Beca! I heard, Jesse stopped by your studio this evening, is that right?” Flo got excited. “Ugh…Stace!” Beca rolled her eyes. “Wait..what? Jesse?? That dumb guy??” Amy almost choked because of that. “Why you always called him by dumb Ames?” Beca got curious. “Yeah, he want to hooked up with you Grumpy…” Amy talk loudly while pointing her finger to Beca’s nose. “…and now, he want to hook up with you again.” add Aubrey, while laughing out loud. “Ugh…you’re so drunk guys.”

***

The Apartment

Beca walk out from her bedroom with half-conscious through the kitchen. “Morning, Becs!” Chloe put smile on her face brightly, while she cooked breakfast for Beca and Amy. She looks so tired, there's black circle under her eyes. Beca got startled, she’s like saw a ghost in front of her. “Wow..Chlo, where have you been last night?” Beca grab her cup and fill it with water. “You have no idea Becs.” and leave Beca with her big question mark in mind. “What do you mean by that? Seriously, I didn’t get that.” Beca raised her eyebrows. “Nah, it doesn’t matter babes”, Chloe split the dish on 2 plates, it’s fried rice with scramble eggs above it. “Now, eat your breakfast, and I’ll get myself suit up” “…But, Chlo!”, Chloe already going into her room, when Beca started to grumbled to her. Amy stepped outside her room, and when she sees plate that full of fried rice..”Wow breakfast! I’ll crush it quickly. Thanks Chloe, you’re the best!” Beca shook her head while chew her meal quickly. “what happened with her?” “Me? I’m just empty my plate Beca, what’s so wrong about that?” “Not you Ames, it’s Chloe.” Amy stop chewing, and look around through Chloe’s door, “Nothing’s weird I guess, don’t worry Beca, maybe she’s just need to breathe.” ‘Yeah, I guess so’ Beca look at Chloe’s door at a glance, and hoping that everything’s gonna be alright.

***

Pixar Motion Pictures

“Hey, Sister. Can I come in?” Chloe nodded her head, “Since when you kind a being nice to me?” Chloe sees her nephew’s gesture, that not usual. “What can I do for you Riles?” “Aw, straight to the point. You prefer being like that, right ?” Riley grab her chair in front of Chloe. “Proceed.” Chloe’s right hand still busy with her stylus pen on the drawing tablet. “You knew that guy, right? That seated beside you yesterday, the blue shirt one, with black collar, chocolate chino, and…” “…yes, I knew him. It’s Dave.” Chloe place her stylus on the table, and stare at her, just like ‘now, what do you want Riles’ “Ah, yes yes him, Dave. Can you introduce me to him?” Riley looks so excited about that, it’s like there are millions stars in her eyes right now, with no doubt at all. “What? Why I have to do that for you?” Just like Chloe’s presumption earlier. “I like him, a lot!” Riley yelled at her, while get up from her chair. Chloe shook her head fervently. “Just get out of here Riles.” Riley didn’t get what Chloe said. about that, she’s get mad. “What’s so wrong about that, Chloe? Did you like him either, huh?” “You’re too much. I won’t hear anymore Riles, just back to your tasks, it’s waiting for you.” Chloe step to her door, open it and ask her to get out. “Okay, I don’t need your help tho!” She’s get really mad, she step outside while slam the door, right in front of Chloe’s face. ‘inhale…exhale…’ the one thing that only Chloe can do right now. dung! New message!

From : Beca Mitchell Message : Hey babes! Do you mind to walk in several blocks from your office? Starbucks 4 PM, sharp!These whole co-worker shits bother me a lot. See you soon!

***

Starbucks

“1 double-shots ice americano, and 1 ice caramel machiato, please” Chloe look around inside Starbucks to find her brunette, and gotcha! The black all-in-dress on the corner. “Hey, Becs! How’s it going?” Chloe grab her chair, right in front of Beca, and smiles brightly like she always did. Beca always wondering, how Chloe always put her smiles on, in any conditions. She’s always want to being like that, but she’s too honest to express her feelings everytime. “Wait..is finally Universal hired you to produce some musics for them?” “Nah, you gotta be kidding me.” Chloe can’t figure it out what happened to her best friend right now. “It’s about Jesse, Chlo.” was one and only answer that never been in Chloe’s mind. “Wait…what? I didn’t get that Becs.” “Yesterday, Jesse came up to my studio…” “…to finally hook up with you again? After these whole times? Hell No!” protest Chloe, some dissapointment draw on her face. “Please Chlo, don’t cut it out my words…” Beca throw some tissues to her. “…he looked for some creative roles, for his theatrical things that he owned now.” “Wow..wow..stop right there, so Jesse has his own theaters ?” Chloe gasped. “..yeah, well he said so. But, I’m not sure enough.” The barista called Chloe’s name, she grab her orders as fast as she can. “I said no, of course, and I asked security to escorted him got out from the studio.” “..wow, that’s my girl yeah!” in second Chloe feel proud of Beca’s gutt. “thank babes!...” Beca drink her caramel machiato, and now left in by half. “…but, now the disaster came up.” Chloe’s expression tells everything that she’s so curious about that. “Jesse came to my boss, and gave his proposal…” Chloe’s jaw dropped. “…and is he agree?” “…in a flash.” “Wow…that was so amazing!” Chloe almost chocked with her own americano. “Chlo!—“ Beca smack her, and make her laughing out loud. “—Stop it! It’s not funny at all, you know. It sucks!” “Chill out Becs. As long as you never get hook up again with Jesse, all is well” “But…how ?” Beca start to imagine that she start her day to meet Jesse everyday as a partner. “Working with ex’s never get it right you know, but well, just take it for granted.” Chloe hold her breath. “You can stop it, when you reach your limits” And again, Chloe always has something to say that make anyone around her, feel comfortably safe from their bad day. 

***

The Apartment

Amy step inside the apartment while handed 2 big bags donuts, and stop it when she sees Chloe was already on her dress, her black dress that stopped on knee and brown boots on her both feet. “Where are you going Chloe? Didn’t you see me, brought these whole donuts for us?” Said Amy, she seems dissapointed. “Hey, what’s going on?” Beca step inside either, and shut the door behind her. “Uhm..sorry guys, I have to attend this company celebration party.” Chloe check out her make-up once more before she finally going out with her car, and made Beca gave assumption that ‘you seems won’t to be attend.’ Yes, you’re right Becs, deep down inside, I won’t. *** Company Celebration’s Party “Good night Ladies and Gentleman! Happy 55th Anniversary to Pixar Motion Pictures!—“ said the MC’s that already owned the stage from the start. Every eyes in this ballroom looked at him. “—And welcome to Moose Production House, to being our partner for this project, cheers!” Riley arrived to the ballroom, and first person that she look up for is Dave, her deadly crush, as she always said, and gotcha! She found Dave, her steps was very confident to coming up for Dave. “Hey, Dave!” She’s interupting Dave with his friends. “Oh..Hi Riley!—” Dave look around Riley, and he didn’t see the girl that he’s already waited for. “—where’s Chloe?” “Who’s Chloe, Dave?” one of Dave’s friends curious about that, because Dave always mention that name everytime they hang out. “Yeah, you always mentioned her!” Dave just giggling everytime his friends so curious about that. Meanwhile, Riley that stand beside him, listen to it carefully. “Ah..Chloe? Is she your ex Dave?” One of Dave’s friends scratch his chin smoothly while remembering few years ago. “Ah..yes, I’m pretty sure that, this girl was your ex, when you went to Art School, right Dave?” “Bull’s eye, dude!” Riley dropped her jaw, get in shock literally, she’s almost drop her pouch. Few minutes later, a girl with black dress, red wave-hair head, mind her step through many people inside the ballroom, bright smile on her face, and stop by them. Everyone greet her with wide smile, including Dave, that already waited for her attending. “Hey, Chloe!” 2 words that made his friends tease Dave again. “So Dave, this is Chloe, right?” Chloe nodded her head. “Hi, I’m Ben!” “Don’t make fun of it Benjamin, I knew you” Chloe hugged Ben warmly, and confusing the rest of them. “Ben was my college’s friend guys” “What? So, you pretending to didn’t know her, Ben?” Asked Dave, still didn’t believe that. “I didn’t Dave at first, until she came out from her car, and step inside the ballroom—” Ben explained everything that they have to know. “—and what? Is Dave your ex, Chloe? How come? This jerk—“ *SLAP SOUND* Neither Chloe, or Dave and the rest of them got shock for what happened, and every couple eyes in this ballroom turn away to them. “Why did you do that Riley?” Dave grab her hand roughly. Both Riley and Chloe didn’t expected that she can did that, and after that Riley just ran away outside the ballroom. Chloe got speechless. “Are you okay, Chloe?” asked Ben softly. “Yeah, I’m okay.” trying to put her smile on her face, although still got shock, not because her cheek’s hurt, it’s because she felt being humiliated with her own nephew. ***

[deamstellarus]

Of Twinkling Lights and Mistletoe

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: The best Christmas ever.

Word Count: 3994

Warnings: The fluff...may kill you. (Also there’s a slight sad part at the beginning and some minor implied smut mixed in.)

A/N: This is probably my favorite part/chapter in this entire series. I REALLY hope you enjoy it! ❤

Series Masterlist | Of Apple Pie and Family

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December 2018

“Hey, Doll. I, uh, I know it’s been a while since I’ve talked to you, but things have been developing and I’m needing a bit of guidance… It’s Y/N, she’s come to see you before. You know, beautiful eyes, soft hair, about this tall,” he held his hand up to about your height. “She’s, well...I didn’t think I would find someone after you, I never wanted to find someone after you. But she stumbled into our lives, mine and Noah’s. Well, Noah’s first - I swear he inherited your outgoing personality. She makes me happy and she fits in so well. And with Noah, Doll, you would be so happy with how she treats our son. Like he’s her own. She’s not replacing you, I don’t want that and neither does she, I know her. But she loves him too, and me, and I just…” 

He sighed, his breath visible in the cold December air. He toed the snow around his boots, not sure what he expected out of this.

“I guess I just wanted your approval, to know it’s okay to be happy with her. I’m, uh, I have this,” he pulled out the little box from the jewelry store in Michigan that’s been burning a hole in his pocket for a little over a month. “I’d planned on doing it in a few days, on Christmas. Cliche, I know, but I just thought it would make it special… I’ll always love you, Dot. But I love her too, and I think… I think maybe it’s time I take the next step. Is that alright?” He paused and looked around, waiting for an unknown sign. After a minute, he shook his head, lightly chuckling at himself. 

“Rest easy, Doll, I’ll be seeing you again.”

Bucky kneeled in the snow and placed the long-stemmed red rose at the foot of the headstone. Gently, he rubbed his thumb over the top of the smooth stone, before standing up and turning on his heel. He was three steps away when a sudden gust of wind swept up behind him and his hat blew off his head and landed several feet away. When he went to retrieve it, there was a rose petal underneath it. He held it between his fingers and looked up at the sky, deciding that was the sign from her that she approved.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

Steve opened his door at the insistent knocking, and all but jumped out of the way as Bucky barged inside with Noah following behind.

“Well hello to you too, Buck.” Steve rolled his eyes, then turned his attention to Noah. “What’s up, little man?”

“Hi Uncle Steve. Does Aunt Peggy have anymore brownies left?”

“That’s some sweet tooth you’ve got there. I think there are some on a plate on the counter. Why don’t you go check it out and I’ll join you after I talk to your dad?”

“Mkay!” He raced to the kitchen.

“Don’t eat them all!” Steve yelled after him, only to be met with giggles.

His head turned back to where his best friend lay on the couch.

“Alright, Bucky, talk.”

“I don’t know how to propose. I thought I did, I got the ring like I told you I would.” Bucky fished said ring out of his pocket and held it up for Steve to see. It was beautiful and elegant and a little bit quirky, and so very you, that Steve knew he had help.

“Did her mom help you?”

“Her sister, Liz. I asked her dad for her hand- out of courtesy, I know how much her family means to her. Then her dad, brother-in-law, and I went to a store in town and browsed. I texted Liz several pictures and she helped me decide,” Bucky said, all while staring at the ceiling, looking like a mess of emotions.

“Smart, not getting it here. Tony’s a great guy but he’s definitely the biggest gossip in this town, and he wouldn’t have held back if you walked into his jewelry store.”

“Yeah, but how do I ask? I wanted to ask on Christmas. Is that too cliche though? She’s not really the cliche type? Oh hell, what if she doesn’t say yes and I’ve put her on the spot in front of all of our friends?” Bucky groaned. “Maybe this is a bad idea.”

“Bucky, get a grip. When you think about proposing, where do you imagine you are?” Bucky took so long to reply Steve thought he’d fallen asleep.

“I can’t picture a place, or any of the surroundings. I just see her.” Steve smiled at his friend.

“Well then, pal, I don’t think it matters how or when you tell her, you just have to do it.”

“I think...I think I’m going to stick to Christmas, with all of our friends. It’s not the whole town, but it’s the important people.” Bucky turned his head to look at Steve. “What do you think?”

“I think that sounds great.” Steve stood up. “I’m going to go stop your son from eating all of Pegs’ brownies.”

“Please do, I’m taking him to his friend Peter’s house in an hour and his aunt would kill me if I sent him over on a sugar high.”

Steve laughed as he walked into the kitchen but stopped abruptly when he ran into Noah by the entryway.

“What’s up, Little Man?”

“How does someone propose to someone else?” Noah said. Steve was taken aback. Did he know Bucky was going to propose to you? He was ninety percent sure he’d just eavesdropped on their conversation.

“Well… when two people love each other, one person will usually buy a ring and they tell them all of the things they love about them and ask them an important question.”

“Oh, okay.” That’s it? Steve thought that was too easy.

“Why do you ask? You thinkin’ about proposing to someone?” Steve teased.

“Yep!”

“Wait, really?” This was definitely news to Steve. “Who is the lucky lady? Or fellow?”

“I can’t tell you, Uncle Steve. It’s a secret!”

“Okay, Buddy. Anything, I can, uh, do to help?” Because he was nosier than he would ever admit aloud and it would be great to tell Bucky all about Noah’s little friend… if he could ever get the details out of him that is.

“Nope!” He said, sipping on a glass of milk. “Well actually, can you help me wrap it?”

Bingo!

“Sure thing, buddy. When do you want me to help you?”

“Can we do it now?” That brought Steve’s eyebrows to his hairline.

“You have a ring with you?”

“Yeah,” Noah said, pulling something out of his jacket pocket. In his hand was a little clear plastic ball with a purple plastic ring inside. It was the cutest thing Steve had ever seen, if he were being honest. He coughed back a chuckle.

“Where did you get that, Noah?”

“From Mr. Tony’s diner.”

“Ah, I see. Alright, well I’m going to go grab some wrapping paper from my room. Be right back, Little Man!”

Steve sped past where Bucky laid on the couch.

“Hey, hey, hey. Where are you going?” Bucky called out, then followed Steve to his room when he didn’t get a response. “What are you doing?”

“Getting some wrapping paper.”

“Okay, I’ll bite… Why?”

“Because, Noah’s got a girlfriend! Or boyfriend. I don’t know. Either way, you’re not the only one proposing this holiday season!” Steve beamed, visions of a miniature kid wedding danced through his head.

“Wait, what?!”

“That was...” Bucky started, as he laid back in bed, trying to catch his breath.

“Incredible,” you finished, sighing happily.

“Yeah,” he smiled back at you, holding your hand. “I’m so glad Becs wanted him to spend the night last night.” You nodded in agreement.

“You’ve been holding out on me, Casanova.” You rolled onto your side, grinning as the blush rose to his cheeks. “Dinner, Christmas lights, that mistletoe…”

“Oh, that mistletoe. Best holiday tradition yet.” Bucky smiled fondly at the memory.

“You look amazing, Doll.” You turned around to see Bucky watching you from the bathroom doorway as you fastened your earring to your ear. You were wore a forest green A-line dress with black tights and planned on wearing your black ankle boots to give you a bit more height.

“Thanks, Buck,” you said as your eyes ran over his form. He wore a deep red sweater and dark jeans that made his ass look even better. He gave you a lopsided smile when he caught you staring.

“We should get going if we want to make our reservations.”

“You’re right sorry. Just about done here.” You swiped on your go-to red lipstick and grabbed your purse. “Ready dear.”

You slipped on your shoes and he helped you into your coat after shrugging into his own leather jacket, and you were out the door. It had been a while since you two were out together, just the two of you. It felt nice, romantic, and you were giddy with the attention.

Dinner was wonderful, Bucky having taken you to an Italian restaurant in Portage. You split dessert, a tiramisu you wished was available in Aster Falls. Afterward, you walked down several streets, hand in hand, enjoying each other’s company and the twinkling lights that now lined the city’s streets. Later, you drove back to Aster Falls, your hand in his as he drove through the snowy landscape.

Bucky pulled into the parking lot for your apartment building. You headed inside, Bucky’s arm around your shoulder. The second you stepped into the elevator, his lips were on your neck. You looked up and laughed.

“What’s so funny, Doll,” he mumbled into your skin.

“Mistletoe.” Bucky pulled back, looking up, and sure enough there was a mistletoe taped to the ceiling.

“Well, what do you know. Who are we to disagree with tradition.” His lips met yours, all the way up to your door, through your apartment, and into your bedroom. For the rest of the evening, your body was his, and his was yours. And you were tangled in the sheets for the remainder of the night, curled together afterwards when you were both blissed out. Which brought you to this morning, when you woke to kisses down your spine in the soft morning light.

“We should probably get ready and give your sister a break. It’s Christmas Eve after all, and I’m sure Noah has been bouncing off the walls since we dropped him off yesterday,” you said, your fingers grazing through the short scruff on his face.

“Do we have to?” He pouted, poking his bottom lip out, looking oh so adorable. “Five more minutes?”

“Yeah, I think we can do that.” You scooted closer to him, resting your head on his chest. His arms went around you and you settled into the comfortable silence once more, knowing ‘five more minutes’ would turn out to be much longer.

“Wake up! Wake up! It’s Christmas!”

“What time is it?” Bucky said, rolling over in bed. His voice was gravelly from sleep. His hand around your waist tightened its hold. You cracked an eye open and looked around, remembering you were not at home in the cozy apartment but, in fact, in a guest room at the Barnes’ house. You peeked at the clock, softly groaning when you read the numbers.

“Too early.” You snuggled closer to him, your back to his front, trying to leach his warmth.

“I’d say we have about three minutes before he drags us out of here, Doll.” His breath tickled your neck.

“Mmm, alright. Three minutes, I can do that.”

That hope was quickly diminished when not thirty seconds later, Noah crashed landed on the two of you, breaking the sleepy spell you were under.

“Daddy! Y/N! It’s Christmas!” Noah shouted excitedly. Bucky chuckled quietly.

“It sure is, bud. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Noah Bear,” you said, sitting up.

“Can we go open presents now?”

“No, no, no. You know the rules, you can open one present this morning, but you have to wait until this afternoon with everyone else to open up the rest,” Bucky said.

“Fine,” Noah pouted.

“Hey, now, no grumpy faces. That’s not very jolly,” you said, smoothing the hair on his head.

“Sorry.”

“It’s alright, bud. Why don’t you go watch cartoons in the living room and we’ll be down in a few minutes.”

“Okay.” You watched as he climbed off the bed and shut the door behind him.

“What are you still doing up there?” Bucky said. You glanced down at his relaxed form.

“Hm?”

“Come here.” He rolled over, his arm returning to your waist, and pulled you down to meet your lips to his. You felt him smile after a moment.

“Merry Christmas, Doll.”

“Merry Christmas James.”

“James, dear, your friends are here!” Bucky’s mom called out as the doorbell chimed.

She opened the door and in stepped the whole group with arms full of presents. Steve had his arm around Peggy, newly wed and happy. Sam carrying a pie with a smiling Mrs. Wilson on his arm. Wanda and Natasha had their arms linked together while a sleep-walking Clint trailed behind them. An excited Thor and an unimpressed Loki brought up the rear of the group. Everyone important in Bucky’s life was here today and he couldn’t be more excited...or nervous.

“It’s about time you got here. Noah’s been bouncing off the walls waiting to open presents,” Bucky said, giving hugs to everyone as they stepped in from the cold.

“You can blame this one for holding us up,” Nat said, jerking her thumb at Clint. “It seemed to be his mission not to wake up this morning.”

“Where’s Y/N?” Wanda piped up.

“In the kitchen with Noah and Becca, frosting cookies.”

“Yumm!” Wanda and Nat headed straight to the kitchen with Mrs. Barnes and Mrs. Wilson in tow. The rest of the group spread out between the kitchen to sneak treats or settling in on the couches in the living room.

Steve slapped a hand onto Bucky’s shoulder as he shut the door.

“So, are you ready?” Steve said lowly, so that only Bucky could hear.

“Yes. No… Yes.” Bucky sighed. “I’ve done this before… I really don’t remember being this nervous.”

“Well it was a given before. You and Dot had been together for years. Everyone knew you were going to get married sooner or later.”

“Do you think it’s too soon? It’s too soon, isn’t it?” Bucky struggled to look normal while the panic started to set in.

“Hey, no. Stop. You’re fine.” Steve had both hands on Bucky’s shoulder now. “Sure you haven’t been with Y/N for years, but anyone alive could tell you that you’re perfect together. You know it, I know it… I’m sure even Dot’s even agreeing as we speak. Take a deep breath, relax. You’ve still got some time to figure out what you’re going to say. It’s gonna be fine, you’ll see.”

With that, he patted Bucky on the back and headed toward the fireplace, where Peggy was looking at the Christmas cards on the mantle. Steve was right. He was right a lot, not that Bucky would ever tell him. But he was right, and Bucky was stressing out for no reason.

However he asked today, he knew in his heart, at least he hoped, that you would say yes.

“We’ve only got two more presents and then I think that wraps up Christmas 2018!” Mr. Barnes said.

Bucky pecked you on the forehead before he abruptly stood up and headed for the stairs.

“Where are you going?” you asked.

“Forgot a gift upstairs, I’ll be right back!” You watched as Bucky disappeared up the stairs, shaking your head at his forgetfulness.

“Looks like this one is for Loki,” Becca said, as she crawled underneath the tree, “and this one is for Y/N.” She plopped Loki’s present into his lap and lightly tossed your gift to you.

“You can open yours first, I don’t mind,” you said, your interest taking over at what could possibly be underneath the mass of colorful wrapping paper. He nodded and tore at the paper, cracking a small smile when a kids’ magic set was revealed.

“You’re an absolute child.” Loki playfully glared at his brother across the room.

“Come now, brother, I’m not the one with a kids’ toy with my name on it,” Thor laughed, the smile reached his eyes.

You hid your giggle behind your hand, while others (ahem, Sam and Clint) were practically in tears.

“You’re next, Bunny.”

You stuck your tongue out at Sam then turned your attention to the gift in your hand. You took a moment to examine it, the red and green paper wrapped so nicely around such a tiny thing. You were supposed to guess who it was from but with the bouncing seven-year old next to you, it wasn’t hard to assume.

“This is from you, huh?” He nodded excitedly. “Did you wrap it all by yourself?”

“No, Uncle Steve helped me!”

You held the small gift in your palm, weighing it to guess the contents. It was fairly light, and rattled a bit when your hand shook. Honestly, you couldn’t have guessed in that moment when was beneath the paper, but whatever it was, the anticipation was clearly getting to Noah as he bounced on the sofa beside you. You took care not rip the paper too much as you unwrapped it. As you tore the final bit of paper away, you smiled. It was a small purple plastic ring inside transparent plastic bauble. You’d seen this before, at the little 50-cent machines by the front door of Tony’s. You popped open the container and slid the ring on your pinky finger, where it barely fit.

“Thank you so much, Noah!” you said as you pulled him into your arms for a hug.

“You’re wearing it wrong!” You jerked back.

“What do you mean?” He sighed in exasperation and gently pulled the ring from your finger.

“You’re supposed to wear it on this finger.” You gasped as he slid the plastic ring as far as it would go down the fourth finger of your left hand. “Will you be my new mommy?”

The room was absolutely silent, waiting for your response. Here you were, being proposed to in a way you had never expected, but instead, you had hoped he would come to think of you in that way. But this wasn’t entirely a decision for you to make. You nodded, hesitantly.

“Noah, honey, I love you. I would love to be your new mom. But that decision isn’t up to me.” You glanced behind him and met the eyes of Steve, who looked at you nervously with wide eyes. Then his gaze focused to something behind you.

“Well then, whose decision is it?” You looked down into Noah’s big blue eyes, and opened your mouth to respond when you were cut off.

“It’s mine, bud.”

You turned around at the voice and your hand flew to your mouth, once more. Bucky was down on one knee, his own ring in a little black velvet box in his hand.

“Y/N, this wasn’t quite what I had planned, I guess Noah beat me to it. I never thought I’d find someone after Dot, but the moment you stepped into our lives, you changed it for the better. You bring light and joy and love to our lives, something that’s been missing for so long. Seeing you with Noah makes me happier than you can imagine and knowing how strongly he feels about you, well…” He took a shuddering breath. “Y/N, you are strong and beautiful and have the patience of a saint, I swear. You are so smart and so supportive, and I’m so glad you decided to take a chance on little ol’ Aster Falls, and take a chance with me. Y/N Y/L/N, will you marry me?”

You were sure you looked a complete mess. Tears were streaming down your face and your hands were shaking. You couldn’t imagine a life without Bucky and Noah, and you didn’t want to. You nodded your head furiously, hardly able to get the words out fast enough.

“Yes! Oh my gosh, yes! Of course!”

Bucky pulled the plastic ring off your finger and slid the real ring in its place. Then he pulled you up into a kiss and it seemed like the room exploded into applause and cheers all around you. When you finally broke away, you looked down to find Noah, pouting slightly. You crouched down to be eye level with him.

“Honey, what’s wrong?”

“You aren’t wearing my ring.” He had tears in his eyes and your heart broke at his expression.

“Oh, Noah, here, let’s do this instead.” You unclasped the necklace you were wearing - the simple sterling silver heart pendant Bucky got you for your birthday two months ago - and slipped the ring through the chain. When you fastened the clasp back behind your neck, the heart dangled just below your clavicle and right beside it, laid Noah’s purple plastic ring.

“I think this is better Noah, that way I won’t lose it since it doesn’t quite fit on my finger.” You picked him up off the couch and onto your lap instead. “Whether or not you gave me a ring, honey, doesn’t change how much I want to be your mom.”

“Really?” He asked, his blue eyes peeked through his dark lashes.

“Really really. I love you so much, Noah Bear.”

With that, he threw his arms around your neck and cried into your sweater. Bucky sat beside you and placed his hand on your waist, pulling you and Noah closer. He pressed a kiss to your temple. You looked around at the faces of your friends and family, their faces all with soft smiles and teary eyes. You smiled back, but soon felt the heat rushing to your face with all the attention and emotion from the past few minutes.

“I hate to interrupt this touching moment, but some of us have been waiting for sweet potato pie all month so can we please move on to dinner so I can get some dessert?” Sam said. There was a chorus of groans and chuckles breaking the emotional spell, and Sam sent you a wink before heading toward the kitchen. After all these years, he still knew how to read you like a book, and knew when to save you from embarrassment.

After everyone moved more or less to the kitchen and dining room, you gently pushed Noah away to see his face.

“Are you okay, bud?” Bucky asked. Noah nodded, playing with the ring around your neck.

“Where did you learn to propose like that, sweetheart?” you asked.

“I heard Daddy and Uncle Steve talking about proposing, and I asked Uncle Steve how someone proposes and he told me how.”

“Steve thought he was gonna ask a classmate to marry him.” Bucky couldn’t help but laugh.

“Can I call you ‘Mommy’?”

Bucky and you stopped laughing abruptly, and you felt the tears return to your eyes. So far, it felt as if you’d spent the entire day as a faucet. You looked at Bucky for confirmation, and he nodded.

“Of course, Noah. If you’re comfortable with calling me that, then you can,” you said.

“Okay, Mommy.” He climbed off of your lap and headed toward the kitchen toward everyone else. “I’m going to get a cookie before Uncle Steve eats them all.” With that, he disappeared.

“Can you believe what happened today?” You asked Bucky, turning to face him.

“Actually, I can, Doll.” He kissed your lips, then leaned away a bit as he cupped your cheek with his warm hand. “This was the best Christmas ever.”

[Of Champagne Flutes and Wedding Vows]

A/N: I may have planned the entirety of A Touch of Ink based off the idea of Noah’s proposal, and I’ve been waiting to share this for so long. I’m a sucker for a child proposal. Hopefully you all liked it too!