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Fuck chocolate chip cookies, man. Not in the bad way, just fuckkkkkk. In the grew-up-quadriplegic-in-a-Catholic-orphanage-and-never-got-the-chance-to-try-one way. Ava could spend her whole life just feasting on the little fuckers. Especially the really melty-gooey but somehow still crispy ones that Bea always manages to make, even though she always insists on cutting the sugar in half. Blasphemy is what Ava has to say about that.
Heavy disco blasted through the room, mixing with Katy Perry’s California Gurls, as the landscape was awash with neons. Somehow simultaneously bright and dingy at the same time, including a giant stage and dancing candy corn. Stripper club slash candy field? Okay!
Ava just laughed, twirling in circles. Giant cookies joined her, all bopping to the music. She could barely hear her own thoughts over the pounding of the bass, laughing even harder at the cookies spinning against the poles.
“Bea!” she squealed, catching sight of the ex-nun, frozen in the middle of the club. She couldn’t help but preen at the smile that tilted at the edge of her lover’s lips the second she saw her, eyes sparkling in amusement.
“Bea!” she shouted, pointing directly at her before breaking into a run.
”I need youuuuuu,” she started, launching herself into the air, “to make me moreeee COOKIESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! ”
The room burst into confetti, Ava’s heart exploding at the feel of Bea’s smile against hers.
— — —
A gentle breeze drifted in through the apartment window, opened just a crack. Golden moonlight swept across the floor as a rustle came from the other room. Ava swung her arm over, still half asleep, reaching for her girlfriend.
Girlfriend.
Ha, she was so lucky.
Mmm. That must have been a good dream. She had no clue what it was about, but it must’ve included Bea. Nothing could make her chest warm the same way.
She still couldn’t believe it. The war was over and they returned to their little abode in the mountains, going back to laughing with the regulars and suppressing the shot of jealousy that occurred every time the other got flirted with by a patron. Nowadays, those exchanges could swiftly be shut down with a gentle kiss on the cheek and a saccharine smile with the same energy as screaming “ FUCK OFF. ”
Ava hummed contentedly to herself, continuing to search at the sheets.
Nothing.
“Bea?” she whispered, eyebrows furrowing as another clang came from the kitchen. Prying her eyes open, she took in the half dark room, blankets haphazardly thrown across the bed.
“Beaaaa,” she sang, slowly opening the door. The kitchen was dark too. And so was the rest of the apartment.
She would have missed the figure hovering by the counter if not for the bang of metal on metal that accompanied it. She moved closer, recognizing her immediately.
“Beatrice? Are you okay?”
Bea just grumbled back, turning away to get something.
Ava smiled, assured that nothing of urgence was wrong. ”Bea.”
Beatrice just mumbled again, doing something. Ava had no clue.
“Bea, what’re you up to?” she asked, stepping closer and peeking around to catch a glimpse of the assortment of bowls spread along the counter.
“Yhwrneownmaymkckies,” Bea replied assuredly with her adorable little accent, before turning swiftly to go into the fridge.
“Bea?” Ava asked again, voice creeping higher as she tried not to laugh.
“Kies, A’a!” Beatrice admonished, thrusting a cold brick into Ava’s hand. “O’en.”
Ava’s face screwed into a laugh at the sight of her. It was so unlike the Beatrice she saw in the day, constantly pushing her hair out of her face and ironing her clothes. She liked this adorable, frumpy-looking Bea with her slight bedhead and half lidded eyes, lips pressed in a grumpy pout. Smears of flour dusting over her navy pyjamas. They had matching sets.
“!!!” Beatrice frowned, signalling at the block still in Ava’s hands.
Ava’s eyebrows shot up at this, unable to keep the smile from her voice.
“Bea. This is cream cheese.”
Beatrice somehow got even grouchier at this, twisting away to angrily mix some flour, sending clouds of dust over the both of them.
Ava wanted to kiss her right then and there.
“Let’s go to bed.”
Beatrice’s whole body slumped, an even sadder frown on her face, doe eyes open but unseeing.
“We’ll bake tomorrow, okay?” Ava smiled at the assortment of ingredients in the bowl – flour, sugar, chocolate, peppers, half a bitten carrot, and the baby Jesus magnet Ava had picked up the last time they were at the Vatican.
Uh oh. Bea was not going to be pleased at having to clean Frig-Jesus from errant dust before they could put him back on the fridge.
Beatrice just hummed, tilting her head to the side. “Kies, Ilvu.”
“I love you too Bea,” Ava promised, gently grabbing her hand to pull her back to their room.
She got Bea all tucked and cozy in bed, blanket up to her chin, before pulling away to get in on her own side. “Kis?” Beatrice whispered sadly, averting her eyes.
Ava paused, just staring. “Only on the cheek for now.”
Then she climbed into bed, feeling Bea move straight into her arms. Letting her eyes fall shut, she pressed her nose into the crown of Bea’s head.
This is the love of her life.