Underneath It All
The coffee shop was warm inside, the scent of freshly brewed espresso lingering in the air. The late afternoon crowd had thinned out, leaving only a few scattered customers tucked into corners, lost in books or quiet conversations.
Viv had offered to grab their drinks, leaving Beth outside. She leaned against the side of the shop, hands tucked into the front pocket of her hoodie, watching the soft blur of people moving through the street.
The day had been long—training, a team meeting, and now this, a quiet moment that almost felt like an exhale.
Beth let her head tip back against the brick wall, closing her eyes for a second, letting herself just be.
“Beth?”
The voice wasn’t loud, but it pulled her out of the moment anyway.
She blinked, tilting her head, her gaze catching on someone standing just a few feet away.
Claire.
Claire stood there, hands in the pockets of her jacket, lips curving into a familiar smirk.
“Didn’t expect to see you here,” Claire said, tilting her head slightly.
Beth huffed a small laugh, adjusting her grip on her coffee. “Yeah, been a while.”
Claire nodded, her gaze flicking over Beth, assessing in that way she always did. “You look good.”
Beth felt her stomach tighten just slightly, but she kept her voice easy. “Thanks. You too.”
Claire’s smirk deepened, something unreadable flickering behind her eyes. “Appreciate that.”
So,” Claire said, tilting her head slightly, watching Beth closely, “how’ve you been?”
Beth exhaled. “Good. Busy, you know how it is. Season’s been intense, but it’s been good.”
Claire nodded, a slow, knowing smile forming on her lips. “Yeah? And off the pitch?”
Beth’s fingers tensed slightly around her coffee cup. She wasn’t stupid. She knew where Claire was leading with this.
“Also good,” Beth said, keeping her voice casual. “No complaints.”
And then—
The café door swung open.
Beth didn’t even have to turn around to know who it was.
Viv stepped outside, her presence immediate, the air between them shifting before she even said a word.
Viv walked up, handing Beth her coffee without looking away from Claire.
Claire, this is Viv,” she said simply. “Viv, Claire.”
Viv extended her hand, her grip firm—deliberate in a way that wasn’t exactly aggressive, but definitely not casual either.
Claire took it, her fingers wrapping around Viv’s as she returned the handshake, but it only took a second for her expression to shift.
Beth saw it immediately—the slight crease in Claire’s brow, the way her grip adjusted like she was trying to match Viv’s strength but realizing very quickly that Viv wasn’t letting up.
“Strong handshake,” Claire said after a beat, attempting to play it off as she subtly tried to pull her hand back.
Viv held on for just a fraction of a second longer than necessary before finally letting go.
Claire flexed her fingers lightly, shaking them out once, a quiet chuckle escaping her lips. “Guess I should’ve expected that.”
Beth definitely saw the flicker of satisfaction in Viv’s eyes as she took a sip of her coffee like nothing had happened.
Claire exhaled, slipping her hands back into her jacket pockets. “Well, it was nice running into you, Beth. Maybe we could catch up sometime. Grab a drink or something?”
Beth barely had a second to process the suggestion before Viv shifted beside her, placing a hand on Beth’s waist—casual, but unmistakable.
“She’s busy,” Viv said smoothly, her voice even, but Beth felt the way her fingers pressed just slightly firmer against her hip.
Claire’s gaze flickered down to Viv’s hand before she nodded, her expression unreadable. “Fair enough.” She glanced at Beth with an easy smile. “Good to see you.”
“You too,” Beth replied, watching as Claire gave a small nod before stepping away, walking off without lingering.
As soon as Claire turned the corner, Beth turned to Viv with the biggest grin on her face.
“You wanna tell me what that was?” she asked, tilting her head.
Viv didn’t even look at her, just took a slow sip of her coffee like nothing had happened. “What?”
Beth scoffed, stepping in front of her and walking backward so she could see her face. “Don’t ‘what’ me, Miss ‘She’s Busy’ the second she suggested a drink.”
Viv exhaled, barely reacting. “She was fishing.”
Beth grinned. “Uh-huh. And you reeled her in so fast she didn’t even have time to blink.”
Viv gave her a pointed look. “Should I have let you say yes?”
Beth laughed. “Viv, I wasn’t gonna say yes.”
Viv just hummed, taking another sip of her coffee.
Beth smirked, stepping closer. “But you didn’t know that. Did you?”
Viv’s jaw tightened just slightly, but her face remained neutral. “Doesn’t matter.”
Beth loved this.
“Oh, it matters. Because that?” She nudged Viv’s arm with her own. “That was jealousy.”
Viv sighed through her nose. “Beth.”
Beth grinned. “You were jealous.”
Viv finally looked at her, unimpressed. “I wasn’t jealous.”
Beth hummed thoughtfully, taking a slow sip of her own coffee before shrugging. “Well, whatever it was, it really did it for me.”
Viv blinked. “What?”
And before Viv could react, Beth stepped in close—really close—one hand curling into the front of Viv’s jacket as she practically pressed up against her.
“You,” Beth murmured, running her free hand along Viv’s arm, “being all protective.” She tilted her head, lips barely an inch from Viv’s jaw. “The hand on my waist.”
She bit her lip, looking up at Viv through her lashes. “Really did it for me.”
Viv exhaled, her grip on her coffee tightening. “You’re exaggerating.”
Beth smirked. “Am I?”
Viv opened her mouth to argue, but Beth was already leaning in, her lips ghosting against Viv’s ear as she dropped her voice lower.
“If you don’t believe me,” she whispered, “you’re welcome to check.”
Beth felt the way her breath caught for just a second, saw the way her fingers flexed slightly against the coffee cup.
She pulled back just enough to see the faintest pink creeping up Viv’s ears.
Beth grinned, satisfied, and pressed a quick kiss to Viv’s cheek before stepping back, leaving Viv standing there, completely ruined.
By the time they reached their place, Beth was still grinning.
Viv had spent the entire walk acting like nothing had happened, like she hadn’t nearly crushed Claire’s hand or shut down the idea of Beth grabbing a drink with her before she could even think about answering.
Beth, of course, was not going to let that slide.
The moment they stepped into Beth’s apartment, Viv moved with her usual calm—hanging up her jacket, setting her coffee down, acting like nothing was sitting heavy in the air between them.
Beth, of course, was not about to let that slide.
She leaned against the counter, crossing her arms as she watched Viv with a slow smirk.
“So,” she started, dragging the word out, “you really weren’t jealous?”
Viv sighed, turning to give her a pointed look. “I already told you, no.”
Beth grinned, stepping closer. “Mmm. Right. So the whole shutting Claire down immediately—” She raised an eyebrow. “Totally normal behavior?”
Viv exhaled, rubbing the back of her neck. “Beth.”
Beth pressed on, closing the distance between them. “Not even a little?”
Viv sighed again, clearly so done with this conversation. “Beth, I wasn’t—”
Beth hummed, circling toward the kitchen as she set her own coffee down. “So, what was it then?” She drummed her fingers lightly against the counter. “Was it the drink offer? Or was it—” she flicked her eyes to Viv, “the fact that I’ve slept with her?”
Viv’s jaw twitched.
Beth beamed. “Ohhh,” she said, delighted. “There it is.”
Viv exhaled sharply, clearly holding on to whatever patience she had left. “Beth.”
Beth grinned, stepping closer. “I mean, if Claire got to you that much, you might have to be jealous of a lot more girls in London.”
Viv’s hands curled into fists at her sides. “You love pushing me, don’t you?”
Beth’s smirk widened. “Maybe.”
Viv exhaled again, like she was actively restraining herself.
Beth watched her carefully, then dropped her voice into something softer, more teasing. “Did you picture it?” She traced her fingers lightly down Viv’s arm. “Me with her?”
Viv did not answer.
Beth hummed. “You did, didn’t you?”
Viv clenched her jaw, reaching for her coffee as a distraction, but Beth saw the way her fingers tightened around the cup.
Beth’s grin turned smug. “Babe, I hate to break it to you, but I think you’re jealous.”
Viv huffed, shaking her head. “I’m not jealous.”
She tapped a finger against her chin, feigning deep thought. “I wonder what would happen if I went out tonight. Let some girl buy me a drink…”
Viv stayed quiet, but Beth saw it—the flicker in her eyes, the way her fingers flexed at her sides.
Beth bit her lip, leaning in even closer, so their bodies were almost touching. “Would that bother you? Some girl coming up to me at the bar, whispering something in my ear?”
Viv exhaled, her breath just slightly uneven now.
Beth’s voice dropped, teasing. “Maybe she puts her hand on my thigh, leans in real close—”
Viv’s breathing hitched.
Beth smiled sweetly, her fingers dancing lightly over the front of Viv’s shirt. “And what if,” she whispered, “she took my hand and pulled me into the bathroom?”
Viv visibly tensed.
Beth felt the way her chest rose and fell a little harder, the way her fingers twitched at her sides like she was holding herself back.
Beth thrived.
“Would you stop me?” she murmured, her lips brushing against Viv’s jaw just slightly. “Or would you just sit there, pretending you don’t care?”
Viv’s breath was heavy now, her body completely still, like she was using every ounce of restraint she had left.
Beth wasn’t done.
Her fingers traced slowly down Viv’s chest, down her stomach, teasing, taunting. “What if she kissed me first?” Beth mused, dragging her nails lightly down the fabric of Viv’s shirt. “What if I let her?”
Viv’s jaw clenched hard, her fingers curling into fists like she was seconds away from grabbing Beth.
Beth smirked. “Would you stop me then, Viv?” she whispered, pressing her body fully against her now. “Or would I have to beg you to?”
Viv snapped.
Beth let out a soft gasp as Viv grabbed her waist, backing her into the counter, her hands tight, her breath heavy.
For a moment, she didn’t move.
Didn’t speak.
Just stared at Beth, her fingers tensing against her hips, like she was on the verge of losing it.
Beth thrilled in it.
She felt the tension in Viv’s grip, the way her chest was rising and falling just a little harder now, the way she was holding herself back.
Beth smirked, pressing just a little closer.
Then—
“Wait,” she said suddenly, grinning as she pushed lightly at Viv’s chest.
“What?” Viv muttered, eyes dark, grip still firm on Beth’s waist.
Beth bit her lip, so damn smug. “We have a team outing in like, two hours.”
Viv blinked.
Then stared at her.
Beth laughed, reaching up to pat Viv’s cheek. “I think you need to calm down, babe. Can’t have you showing up all flustered.”
Viv exhaled hard, visibly trying to pull herself together.
Beth leaned in, lips ghosting Viv’s ear. “But hey,” she whispered, “since you’re not jealous, this should be easy for you, right?”
Viv gritted her teeth, her fingers tightening slightly before she suddenly let go, taking a sharp step back, running a hand down her face.
Beth beamed, so pleased with herself.
Beth took her sweet time getting ready, enjoying the way she could still feel the tension from earlier—the way Viv had grabbed her waist, the way her breath had hitched when Beth had whispered in her ear.
God, it was so easy to mess with her.
And Beth? Beth thrived in it.
She flipped through her closet, finally landing on the perfect dress—a short, black number, tight in all the right places, low-cut enough to keep things interesting.
She slipped it on, adjusted the straps, and stepped out of her room, casually tucking her hair behind her ear like she wasn’t about to cause chaos.
Viv was leaning against the counter, scrolling through her phone, looking like she was still trying to calm herself down from before.
Beth smirked.
“So,” she said, stepping into view, “what do you think?”
Viv barely looked up at first.
Then she did.
And immediately froze.
Beth watched Viv’s entire demeanor shift—her fingers tensing around her phone, her jaw tightening, her eyes dragging down Beth’s body.
Then—
“Absolutely not.”
Beth’s grin exploded. “What?”
Viv exhaled sharply, setting her phone down, shaking her head. “Beth, that dress covers nothing. You can’t wear that.”
Beth lit up. “Ohhh,” she teased, stepping closer. “I can’t?”
And that’s when Viv’s entire face dropped.
Beth saw it immediately—the way Viv realized what she just said, how it sounded, how Beth was absolutely never letting this go.
“Wait—” Viv started, shaking her head. “That’s not—”
Beth grinned wider. “What’s wrong, babe? Didn’t like how that sounded?”
Viv ran a hand down her face, already spiraling. “Beth, I didn’t mean it like that.”
Beth was loving this. “Mmm. Sounded a lot like you were telling me what I can and can’t wear.*”
Viv groaned, frustrated with herself. “*No—*I mean, yes—I mean—” she sighed, defeated. “It’s just—it’s disrespectful of me to say that. I wasn’t trying to—”
Beth beamed. “You weren’t trying to what? Sound possessive?”
Viv dragged a hand through her hair, fully regretting everything. “Beth.”
Beth stepped even closer, deliberately invading her space. “You just said I can’t wear this. Which means—” she tilted her head, eyes sparkling, “you care.”
Viv pressed her lips together, trying so hard not to react.
Beth lit up inside, watching every muscle in Viv’s body betray her.
Viv continued, voice carefully even. “Wear what you want, Beth. It’s fine.”
Beth bit back a grin.
Oh, this was gold.
Viv was hanging on by a thread, pretending she wasn’t actively fighting for her life, and Beth was having the time of hers.
She leaned in, dropping her voice. “Are you sure?”
Viv exhaled, nodding once, short and sharp. “Yes.”
Beth hummed, stepping back slowly, her smirk growing. “Alright, babe. Whatever you say.”
She turned and disappeared into her room without changing a thing.
Beth walked into the bar close to Viv, their arms brushing slightly as they stepped through the entrance. The place was packed, music pulsing, lights flashing, and most importantly—everyone was dressed up.
Beth fit in perfectly.
She barely had time to glance at Viv before she felt her peel away, mumbling something about grabbing drinks as she headed toward the bar, where Lotte was already standing.
Beth, of course, had other priorities.
She immediately spotted Leah, Katie, and Steph near the edge of the dance floor and made a beeline toward them.
“Oi, there she is!” Leah grinned as soon as Beth reached them, pulling her into a quick hug.
Steph followed with a hug of her own, clinking her glass against Beth’s. “About time.”
“I know, I know,” Beth laughed, pulling back.
“What, did Viv make you late?” Leah smirked, nudging her.
Beth rolled her eyes playfully. “No, I made us late.”
Leah snorted. “As if that’s new.”
Before Beth could fire back, Katie, who had been grinning at her phone, suddenly looked up, eyes sparkling with mischief.
Ohhh, you are gonna love this.”
Beth raised an eyebrow. “What?”
Katie waved her phone slightly. “Guess who just texted me?”
Beth grinned instantly, already knowing it had to be good. “Who?”
Katie smirked, tilting the screen toward her. “Claire.”
Beth immediately burst out laughing. “Oh my God, no way. What did she say?”
Katie, enjoying this far too much, read off the message. “She said she saw you today and that you were really nice, but—” she paused dramatically, grinning wider. “Your ‘friend’ was acting super weird.”
Beth threw her head back laughing. “Oh, she is definitely talking about Viv.”
Katie nodded, smirking. “Yeah, I figured.”
Leah, who was already entertained, leaned in. “Alright, what the hell happened?”
Beth grinned, leaning against the bar. “So Claire saw me outside this coffee shop, yeah? We were just chatting, catching up—completely normal. Then Viv walks out, sees us, and immediately goes all stiff and broody like she’s some kind of bodyguard.”
Steph raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Okay, go on.”
“Then Claire introduces herself, and Viv shakes her hand—” Beth paused for dramatic effect, eyes twinkling, “—and I swear to God, she nearly broke it.”*
Leah’s eyes widened. “No. She did not.”
“She did,” Beth confirmed, grinning like this was the best thing that had ever happened to her. “And then Claire—completely unaware—goes, ‘We should grab a drink sometime!’ And before I could even answer, Viv just goes, ‘She’s busy.’”
Katie threw her head back laughing. “You are lying.”
Beth grinned, shaking her head. “I swear. Full-on, straight-faced, just cut her off completely.”
Leah was still laughing, shaking her head. “I honestly never thought Viv would be this jealous.”
Beth sighed dramatically, taking a slow sip of her drink. “Oh, babe. She won’t even admit she’s jealous.”
Steph snorted. “Oh, come on.”
“I’m telling you!” Beth lifted a hand. “She swears she was just ‘looking out for me’—as if Claire is some kind of dangerous threat to my safety.”
Katie shook her head. “Right. Because Claire is so intimidating.”
“Exactly!” Beth grinned.
Steph leaned against the bar, taking a sip of her drink before smirking. “Alright, Mead, you’ve got one job tonight.”
Beth raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah?”
Steph nodded. “You have to make Viv admit she’s jealous.”
Beth laughed, shaking her head. “Babe, why do you think I put this dress on?”
Leah snorted, nudging her. “Right, and she wasn’t jealous of the dress at all, huh?”
Beth grinned, sipping her drink. “Oh, she absolutely was.” She set her glass down, smirking. “But will she admit it? Nope.”
Before Leah could respond, a familiar presence appeared at Beth’s side.
Viv handed Beth her drink, her fingers brushing hers for a split second longer than necessary.
“That for me?” Beth asked, grinning.
Viv gave her a look. “No, it’s for some other girl.”
Beth chuckled, taking a sip, just as Katie smirked.
“Oh, Viv, I was just telling Beth how good she looks tonight.”
Viv blinked, looking at Katie like she wasn’t sure if this was a setup. “Okay?” she said slowly, confused.
Katie grinned, not letting her off the hook. “Oh, no, I mean—I’m saying it to you. Since, you know… last time someone complimented Beth, their hand almost got broken.”
Leah and Steph burst out laughing.
Viv, deadpan, exhaled and muttered, “Fuck off, Katie.”
Katie just grinned, lifting her glass in victory.
Viv shook her head, already done with this conversation. “I’m going to talk to someone else.”
Beth, fully amused, just smirked as Viv turned and walked away.
Leah leaned over to Katie, still giggling. “That was too easy.”
Katie smirked, sipping her drink. “She makes it easy.”
Beth was leaning against the bar, waiting to catch the bartender’s attention when someone slid up beside her.
“You waiting on a drink, too?”
Beth glanced over and found a pretty brunette, all smiles, eyes flicking over her quickly before resting on her face.
“Yeah,” Beth nodded, returning the smile. “Feels like it’s taking forever, though.”
The girl laughed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Tell me about it. But hey, at least now I’ve got company.”
Beth felt the shift immediately.
This wasn’t just small talk.
She could tell from the way the girl angled herself slightly toward her, the way her eyes lingered.
She could also tell that Viv was watching.
Beth hadn’t looked yet, but she felt it.
And sure enough, on the other side of the bar, Viv’s eyes were fixed on her.
She wasn’t even pretending to be subtle about it.
Beth could see it from the corner of her eye—Viv standing stiffly, drink in hand, jaw set tight, eyes locked onto her like she was witnessing a crime scene.
Beth, of course, smirked to herself and decided to lean into it a little.
“You come here often?” the girl asked, tilting her head slightly.
Beth grinned, shaking her head. “Not really. First time in a while.”
“Good night for it, then,” the girl teased. “Lucky me.”
Beth laughed, just as the bartender finally appeared.
Before Beth could even say anything, the girl leaned in slightly. “Let me get this one for you.”
Beth felt it then.
A wave of heat at the back of her neck.
She didn’t need to look to know Viv had just clenched her jaw hard enough to crack.
“That’s sweet,” Beth said smoothly, fully aware she was making things worse. “But you don’t have to—”
The girl gently put a hand on Beth’s arm.
And that was when Viv’s entire demeanor shifted.
She had already been staring, but now?
Now, she was completely locked in.
Eyes dark, fixed, unwavering.
Beth could feel the tension from across the room.
Viv wasn’t just watching now.
She was fuming.
Beth, for a second, wondered if she had pushed too far.
Viv wasn’t blinking.
She wasn’t even drinking anymore.
She was just standing there, hating every second of this.
Viv hated everything about this.
She had been standing on the other side of the bar, gripping her drink, watching this random girl get way too close to Beth.
It was like she was frozen in place, unable to do anything but watch, her jaw tight, fingers flexing restlessly against the glass.
The girl leaned in, saying something that made Beth laugh, and Viv felt something hot and ugly crawl up her spine.
And then—
The girl put a hand on Beth’s arm.
Viv saw red.
Before she even had time to think, she was moving.
Crossing the room with purpose, weaving through the crowd, eyes locked onto Beth like she was on a mission.
Beth saw her coming at the last second.
Her smirk deepened.
Viv didn’t stop.
Didn’t hesitate.
She reached Beth, slid a hand firmly around her waist, and kissed her—slow, deliberate, and with absolutely no room for misinterpretation.
Beth inhaled sharply, her body instinctively reacting, her hand tightening slightly against Viv’s chest.
The girl beside them hesitated, clearly getting the message, then quickly mumbled something and disappeared.
Viv?
She didn’t care.
Didn’t even acknowledge her.
She was too busy making sure Beth understood exactly what she was doing.
When she finally pulled back, Beth’s eyes were bright, amused—completely and utterly entertained.
“Well, hey there,” Beth murmured, tilting her head.
Viv exhaled, pressing against her just a little more, fingers still firm on Beth’s waist.
Beth grinned, eyes flicking toward where the girl had disappeared.
“You scared her off,” she mused.
Viv hummed. “Good.”
Beth laughed softly, shaking her head. “So… still not jealous, then?”
Viv didn’t even blink.
“Come outside with me,” she murmured instead.
Beth’s grin flickered, something shifting in her expression.
“Oh?” she teased. “Need to get me alone, babe?”
Viv’s fingers tightened slightly on Beth’s hip, but she said nothing—just waited.
Beth studied her for a second longer, then sighed dramatically.
“Alright,” she smirked. “Let’s go.”
Viv took Beth’s hand and led her toward the exit, weaving through the crowd, her body still humming with tension.
The night air was cool, but Beth barely noticed it.
Not with Viv standing this close, hands on her again, fingers slowly smoothing out the fabric of her dress.
Beth had been expecting her to say something, maybe another half-assed protest about the length, maybe some excuse about how it was riding up too much.
But Viv said nothing.
She just kept fixing it, adjusting it, pulling the hem down slightly.
Beth bit back a smirk, watching her carefully.
“What are you doing, babe?” she teased, voice light, curious.
Viv didn’t answer.
Didn’t even look up.
Just kept focusing on the dress.
Beth’s smirk widened.
“What?” she pressed. “Too short for you?”
Viv paused, fingers still lingering on the fabric.
Beth saw the way her jaw flexed slightly, like she was debating whether to answer.
Then, without saying anything, she finished smoothing it out and finally pulled away.
Beth grinned, leaning in closer.
“You could’ve just said yes,” she murmured.
Viv exhaled through her nose, not reacting, not rising to the bait.
Beth, of course, didn’t let it go.
“You got real quiet all of a sudden,” she mused, tilting her head.
Viv leaned back against the wall, crossing her arms, saying nothing.
Beth could feel the tension rolling off her.
It had been there since they stepped outside, since Viv had stormed across the bar to kiss her like she had something to prove.
And Beth?
Beth was going to push.
“Still thinking about back there?” she teased, watching Viv closely.
Viv let out a slow breath, gaze flickering away.
Beth smirked.
“You know you can just admit it, right?”
Viv huffed a quiet breath, shaking her head slightly.
“The girl was staring at your body a lot,” she muttered.
Beth perked up immediately.
“Oh?” she said, stepping closer, deliberately brushing their bodies together. “You didn’t like that?”
Viv sighed, jaw still tight, still holding onto something.
“I saw how she looked at you,” she continued, voice a little lower now, more controlled. “Your boobs, your legs.”
Beth grinned, loving every second of this.
“So you were paying attention?”
Viv shot her a flat look.
Beth laughed softly, trailing her hands up Viv’s sides, just barely grazing her waist.
“And when she touched me?” she pushed, voice dripping with amusement.
Viv clenched her jaw, fingers flexing slightly at her sides, like she was still trying to keep herself from doing something.
“I don’t know,” she muttered. “I just didn’t like that.”
Beth leaned in, fully pressing against Viv now, breath warm against her cheek.
“Didn’t like what, babe?” she whispered, dragging the words out just to make it worse.
Viv exhaled sharply, shifting against the wall.
“It made me feel… hot. And angry.”
Beth felt a thrill rush through her.
“Hot and angry, huh?” she teased, trailing her hands down Viv’s sides again, slow and deliberate.
Viv’s fingers twitched at her sides. “Like I wanted to punch her or something.”
Beth bit her lip, smiling against Viv’s jaw.
“Mmm,” she hummed. “Sounds a lot like jealousy to me, babe.”
Viv closed her eyes briefly, exhaling.
Viv exhaled slowly, eyes flickering away as she pressed her back firmly against the wall, like she needed it to steady herself.
She was still too warm, still too tense, and she was trying—really trying—to calm herself down.
Beth, of course, was enjoying every second of it.
She could see it all happening in real-time—the way Viv’s fingers twitched slightly at her sides, the way her jaw was still tight, the way she kept exhaling slow, controlled breaths, like she was actively fighting something off.
Beth grinned.
“You’re still thinking about it, huh?” she teased, tilting her head.
Viv didn’t answer right away.
She just let her gaze drift away for a moment, like she was carefully choosing her words.
Then—
“Would you do anything with her?”
Beth blinked.
For a second, she thought Viv was joking, still playing it off.
But when she looked at her properly, she realized—
Viv was serious.
Beth’s smirk softened slightly, and she laughed quietly, shaking her head.
“God, no, Vivi,” she said, amused, slipping her hands over Viv’s, placing them gently on her waist. “I was just messing with you. Trying to make you jealous.”
Viv’s fingers flexed slightly against her hips, but she didn’t move them away.
“I know,” Viv muttered.
Beth raised an eyebrow.
“Then what are you really asking?”
Viv hesitated.
Then, after a second, she exhaled, voice quieter now, more careful.
“I meant… if we weren’t together.”
Beth’s smirk returned, slow and knowing.
She stepped in closer, pressing fully against Viv again, her fingers trailing up Viv’s arms slowly, teasing.
“Why do you want to know?” she murmured, voice low, deliberate.
Viv shifted slightly, eyes darting away like she was already regretting this conversation.
Beth smirked wider.
“Viv,” she whispered, teasing, watching her face carefully.
Viv huffed quietly, dropping her head back against the wall.
Then, softer this time, she admitted—
“I don’t know why I want to know.”
Beth felt her heart jump slightly, but she kept her expression composed, playful.
Viv exhaled again, slower this time.
“But I do.”
Beth grinned.
Beth had leaned in, fingers brushing lightly over Viv’s arms, teasing, deliberate, dragging out every word.
“I’m not sure if you’d like the answer, babe.”
Viv stiffened immediately.
Beth felt the tight grip on her waist, saw the way Viv’s jaw clenched, the way she was holding back so hard.
She grinned.
“You don’t think you’d like what I’d say, huh?” she teased, pressing her body just a little closer, just to feel Viv react.
Viv exhaled slowly, lips parting slightly, like she was trying to think through something.
Beth wasn’t done.
“Maybe,” she murmured, “if we weren’t together, I’d have thought about it.”
Viv’s whole body tensed.
Beth felt the subtle shift—the sharp inhale, the way Viv’s hands flexed slightly like she was actively restraining herself.
Beth,” Viv muttered, warning, but not denying it.
Beth bit her lip, grinning.
“She was cute, wasn’t she?”
Viv let out a slow, frustrated breath, eyes flickering away like she didn’t want to engage.
Beth thrilled in it.
“I mean,” she continued, dragging it out, “she was looking at me a lot. You saw that, didn’t you?”
Viv let out a short, sharp sigh, rolling her shoulders back like she was trying to physically shake off the conversation.
Beth smirked.
“Didn’t like that either, huh?”
Viv didn’t answer.
She just grabbed Beth by the waist again, pulling her in closer—firmer now, more intentional.
Beth let out a tiny breath, barely audible, feeling the way Viv’s fingers curled into her hips.
Viv’s hands were everywhere—on Beth’s waist, her sides, sliding over the fabric of her dress like she couldn’t help herself.
Beth had been teasing her all night, pushing her, making her jealous just to see what she could get away with.
And now?
Now Viv was losing it.
“You look really good tonight,” Viv murmured, her voice lower, thicker now, fingers pressing into Beth’s hips like she needed to steady herself.
Beth smirked, tilting her head.
“Oh yeah?” she teased.
Viv nodded slowly, her gaze dragging over Beth’s body again, lingering longer this time.
“Mhm,” she hummed, her hands tightening, dragging down slightly, her thumbs tracing slow, deliberate circles just above Beth’s thighs.
Beth felt a shiver run up her spine.
Viv’s fingers were playing with the hem of her dress now, brushing against the skin underneath like she was barely resisting the urge to push it up.
“You know,” Beth started, trying to keep her voice even, smug, composed, “that’s funny, because earlier, you had a lot to say about this dress.”
Viv exhaled through her nose, already shaking her head.
“Beth—”
“No, no, babe,” Beth cut in, grinning, wrapping her arms loosely around Viv’s shoulders. “I just think it’s interesting that suddenly you like it now.”
Viv sighed, but her hands kept roaming, sliding back up, then down, like she couldn’t decide where she wanted to touch her most.
“I never said I didn’t like it,” she muttered, fingers grazing the top of Beth’s thighs now, slow, teasing.
Beth let out a small, breathy laugh, shaking her head.
“Yeah? Because I could’ve sworn you said something about it being too short.”
Viv didn’t answer right away.
She just slid her hands further down, gripping Beth’s ass with both hands this time, squeezing firmly.
Beth let out a sharp inhale, her body reacting before she could even think.
“Viv,” she whispered, half laughing, half breathless now. “You’re really getting handsy.”
Viv hummed, unbothered, still running her hands over her, slow and deliberate.
“Can you blame me?” she murmured, pressing a little closer, her lips ghosting against Beth’s jaw now.
Beth swallowed hard, her teasing slipping just slightly.
Viv wasn’t just touching her anymore.
She was claiming her.
Beth’s fingers curled slightly at the nape of Viv’s neck, her body instinctively pressing back.
“I mean,” Beth started, clearing her throat, trying to sound unaffected, “we’re still in public, babe.”
Viv ignored that completely, her lips trailing lower now, brushing against Beth’s collarbone, hands still gripping her like she wasn’t planning on letting go anytime soon.
Beth let out a quiet breath, her stomach flipping.
“Viv,” she whispered, half a warning, half a plea.
Viv just hummed again, kissing along her jaw now, slow, lazy, like they weren’t standing outside a bar where literally anyone could walk out at any moment.
Beth wasn’t stopping her.
She should’ve been.
But instead, her hands slid down Viv’s back, her fingers gripping at the fabric of her shirt, pulling her in.
She was just about to fully lose herself in it, in the way Viv was touching her, kissing her like she had completely forgotten where they were—
When she heard someone clear their throat.
Viv froze, lips still just barely pressed against Beth’s skin.
Slowly, Beth turned her head—
And standing a few feet away, arms crossed, clearly trying not to laugh—
Was Leah.
Next to her, Kim looked like she was actually debating whether or not to say something or just let them suffer.
Beth felt her face heat instantly, but refused to let herself look guilty.
Viv, on the other hand—
Beth felt her tense up completely, like she was about to turn to dust on the spot.
Kim finally smirked, tilting her head.
“Either of you need a ride home?” she asked, voice casual, like she hadn’t just caught them making out against a wall.
Viv let out a sharp breath, stepping back so fast she nearly tripped over herself.
“No,” she said quickly, shaking her head, looking anywhere but at them. “No, we’re good. We’ll—we’re gonna—”
Beth bit back a laugh, straightening, trying to sound normal even though she was also warm all over.
“Yeah, we’ll go together,” she said smoothly, brushing her hands down her dress like nothing had just happened.
Leah muttered under her breath, “Yeah, that’s clear.”
Kim snorted and nudged her. “Leah.”
Leah just grinned, shaking her head as they turned back toward the bar.
Beth and Viv stood frozen for a second, neither of them moving, neither saying anything, until the door swung shut behind them.
Viv let out a low, miserable groan, rubbing a hand over her face.
Beth bit her lip, trying not to laugh.
“You okay, babe?” she teased.
Viv sighed heavily, still not looking at her.
“No.”
Beth watched Viv rub a hand down her face, still looking absolutely mortified.
It was adorable.
Beth, on the other hand, was definitely embarrassed too—but nowhere near as much as Viv.
She sighed dramatically, giving Viv’s hand a small squeeze.
“Come on, babe,” she murmured, tilting her head, smiling softly. “Let’s just go home.”
Viv finally looked at her, still flustered, still clearly feeling everything from before.
Her eyes flickered away immediately, like she was still processing everything.
Beth stepped in closer, lowering her voice, her tone shifting into something quieter, gentler.
“Let’s just go home and continue this. Just us, okay?”
Viv exhaled slowly, her shoulders relaxing just slightly.
Beth could see it in her face—the way she was still buzzing, still holding onto all the heat from earlier, but now?
Now, she just wanted to be alone with Beth.
Viv swallowed, then nodded.
“Yeah,” she muttered, her voice lower now.
Beth grinned, squeezing her hand again, grounding her.
“Good,” she whispered, leaning in, pressing a soft, teasing kiss to Viv’s jaw.
Viv sighed, closing her eyes briefly, finally letting herself lean into it now that they were alone again.
Beth pulled back slightly, biting her lip, watching Viv carefully.
“Better?” she murmured, tilting her head.
Viv huffed out a quiet breath, finally letting a tiny smirk slip through.
“Better.”
Beth smiled, then tugged Viv gently by the hand.
“Come on, jealous girl,” she teased, grinning. “Let’s go home.”