#willaska

[artificialqueens]

Princess Party (Group Fic) - Veronica

A/N: I supposed I should put my money where my mouth is with this potluck challenge, haha. (Fun fact: I realized that I’ve kind of done this in multiple stories already, whenever there’s a party or brunch scene, there’s usually detailed descriptions of who brings what. I know it happened more than once in Tree House Kisses, and it’s certainly happened in Galactica, too. I can't explain why except to say that I really love writing about food, apparently.) 

This one here is just a tiny fluffy scene set in the Undone AU. Bianca and Courtney host a party for Ruby’s second birthday. 

***

When Ruby turns two, Bianca and Courtney have a big birthday party for her in the backyard of their house in Venice. It’s April, so the weather is beautiful, and their friends all volunteer to pitch in by bringing food.

Though it doesn’t last long, Ruby is in the midst of a princess faze at this point in her young life, and so her moms have done their best to humor her by turning their backyard into a cotton-candy wonderland. Bianca is between gigs, so for nearly two weeks, she devoted herself full-time to creating felt crowns and capes, huge pink and yellow tissue-paper flowers,  and using cardboard to transform the play structure into a castle. On the day of the party, she and Courtney are up at dawn to decorate the yard, putting the flowers and fluttering fiesta flags up everywhere, as well as pink streamers, motorized bubble machines, and big bunches of pastel-colored balloons. 

Bianca is a pretty decent cook in this story, but she’s not a baker, and basically had an emotional meltdown trying to create the pink-and-roses princess-castle cake of Ruby’s dreams. Mind you, Ruby is turning two, so she could give a shit about symmetry and sharp angles and the fact that half the icing is a darker pink than the other. In fact, she takes one look at the wobbly mound of cake and shrieks with happiness. So even though Bianca is pretty embarrassed with the results, she does have to admit that it made her daughter happy, and is able to let the whole thing go and enjoy the day. 

For the kids, Bianca makes an enormous quantity of dino nuggets, bagel bites and cheese quesadillas, figuring that keeping it simple is the way to go. 

Courtney is responsible for the grill, where she barbecues soyrizo, veggie kebabs, and Mexican street corn, and only lets one or two things char past the point of no return. She also made a big batch of Ruby’s favorite chocolate chip cookies with mini M&Ms, which Bianca decided would be a helpful distraction around the base of the cake. 

Adore shows up first, bringing a container of guacamole and a few bags of chips that she picked up from Whole Foods on the way over. (She’s quite smug about it, too, telling Bianca that it would have been Trader Joe’s, but this is a special occasion, so they’re very welcome.) She’s one of Ruby’s favorite people, though, so the food is less important than the fact that she plays with her and helps her put on the sparkly tutu dress and tiara that Bianca made for her. She even sits down on Ruby’s bedroom floor and allows her to decorate her electric blue hair with all kinds of barrettes and bows. Also, her present for Ruby is a rainbow mermaid tail blanket, and by the end of the party, princesses are out and mermaids are in. 

Bianca and Courtney are grateful to have Adore there to entertain and distract Ruby while they finish setting up. Bianca is almost putting the party favors on one of the folding tables she’s borrowed from her craft service friend, when the first “official” guests ring the doorbell—Jinkx and Ben, with their infant son and a massive watermelon carved into a basket, filled with fruit salad. (Ben is responsible for both the carving and the high ratio of strawberries to other fruits, knowing that they’re Ruby’s favorite. For this, he is proclaimed a “good princess” and given a crown to wear by the guest of honor. Adore is jealous, so Bianca gives her a crown, too.) 

Shea and Sasha arrive next. Sasha has made a gorgeous salad, filled with a dazzling rainbow of Farmer’s Market produce: red and yellow cherry tomatoes, beets, butter lettuce, shredded carrots, red cabbage, toasted pumpkin seeds. She’s sliced the cucumbers into stars and carved radishes into rosettes, and brought multiple mason jars filled with homemade vegan dressings. Shea carries a casserole dish of mac and cheese. When Bianca asks if it’s vegan, Shea looks at her like she’s insane and just says, “Fuck no.” Bianca is reminded in that moment once again why she loves Shea so much, throwing her arms around her and kissing both cheeks. 

Vanessa, Bianca’s favorite sister, is in town, and while she doesn’t bring any food (“The fuck was I supposed to cook with at the hotel?”), she does bring her 3 kids, and Ruby is ecstatic to see her cousins, who she’s been obsessed with ever since their trip to New Orleans for Thanksgiving, following them everywhere on her unsteady, chubby little legs. They love her just as much, showering her with attention and affection and teaching her to say catchphrases from their favorite reality shows. 

When Ruby went through her whole anti-veggie month, especially refusing to eat any green food whatsoever, it was Alaska’s broccoli fritters that saved the day, and she brings a whole tray of them. She also brings Willam, but he’s on good behavior and even manages a whole 3-minute conversation with the birthday princess without using the word “fuck.” 

Tatianna hasn’t been hanging out with their friend group very long, only since January, when she and Courtney reconnected, finding themselves teaching classes in the same gym…but she figures that this is an opportunity to show them that she’s not just some pole-dancing bimbo. She brings two huge trays of homemade enchiladas (even making the sauce herself) and succeeds in impressing them all. 

Naomi shows up with a whole gaggle of her nieces and nephews, along with a bunch of bean and cheese burritos from her favorite place in East LA, which she says are the best in the world, but also she “cannot promise they don’t have lard, so sorry to all the vegetarians here.” Adore confirms this with one bite, and advises her to warn everyone “because that means more for me!” 

By that time, a handful of Ruby’s preschool friends have also arrived, and in spite of some planned party games and activities, the kids have all devolved into racing around the yard and climbing all over the “castle” like maniacs. Courtney gives up on pin the tail on the donkey and tells Bianca to forget about the arts and crafts projects she’d planned. Bianca agrees, and tries not to be annoyed about the fact that Ruby’s brand new dress is pretty much trashed since she’s clearly having so much fun. After awhile, she convinces Ruby to please, please sit down for a few minutes so that she can open her presents, coaching her to remember her manners and make sure she says thank you to everyone. 

Pearl gets there just before they cut the cake, and shocks everyone by bringing, not only a couple of (unopened!) bottles of margarita mix and Casamigos tequila, but also a huge bowl of Bianca’s favorite banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery, which she knows Ruby loved too from their holiday party. Bianca is super touched that she remembered something like that, and Courtney playfully accuses her of flirting and jokingly warns her to back off. (Well it’s like 99% joking.) 

Bianca feels a lot better about the cake after Ruby blows out her candles and it still hasn’t toppled over, and especially seeing her happy squeals when she finds out that the inside is strawberry. 

Later that night, Ruby is passed out in Courtney and Bianca’s bed, snuggled into her mermaid tail blanket with her beloved monkey and a brand-new dinosaur, a ring of pink food coloring around her mouth in spite of vigorous scrubbing, and a contented smile on her face. Courtney rubs her back in circles, marveling at how big she’s getting. 

“Tell me about it,” Bianca says, settling in beside them and pressing a soft kiss to Courtney’s cheek. 

“It’s pretty cool, seeing her turn into like…a real person,” Courtney replies. 

Bianca smiles, touching Ruby’s cheek gently. “Yeah. Sometimes I look at her and wonder where my baby went.” 

“She’ll always be your baby,” Courtney assures her.  

“Mmm…you think she had fun today?” 

“She had so much fun. You did a great job.” 

“You too,” Bianca says, reaching over to lace her fingers with Courtney’s, loving the soft and warm look in her eyes. She lays her head down on the pillow, eyes still locked together. “I guess we’re letting her sleep here tonight, huh?” 

“Birthday treat,” Courtney laughs. 

“Mmkay,” Bianca says, too tired to argue, even though they spent months last year getting her to finally sleep in her own bed. “G’night…”

“G’night babe,” Courtney replies, leaning over Ruby to kiss Bianca one last time before switching off the lamp. “I love you.” 

#rpdr fanfiction #undone #veronica #group fic #bitney #sashea #jela #willaska #lesbian au #fluff #fic challenge #potluck #bianca del rio #courtney act #adore delano #bendelacreme #jinkx monsoon #shea coulee #sasha velour #vanessa vanjie mateo #alaska thunderfuck #willam belli #tatianna #naomi smalls #pearl liaison

[aqpuppy]

💭

I got about 60 words into a Willam/Alaska AU based on the podcast “36 Questions”, but then stopped.

Maybe if I tweak it a bit, I could continue it?

#willaska

[pianowired]

no offense but this is the cutest shit I've ever fucking seen

#alaska #willam #willaska #mine #but not really #that's just my original post tag

[rpdrficexchange]

🎄 RPDR Fic Exchange 🎄

Welcome the the Third Annual Fic Exchange!

This fic exchange is for any pairing within the drag race fandom. In exchange for writing a fic, you’ll get a fic written just for you from a Secret Santa.

Important Dates:

Nov. 29: Last day to apply Dec. 1: Assignments will be sent out Dec. 15: Checkups on how you’re doing with your assignment Dec. 24: Fics due/should be posted Dec. 25: A masterpost will be posted of all fics from the exchange

How to Apply:

Follow this blog Submit a post answering the following questions:

Name and Blog you will be posting your fic at:

Note: You do have the option to submit your fics directly to this blog if you so choose

What kind of fic are you able to write/ do you write the best? (pairings, genre, rating, etc)

What do you want your gift fic to be like? (pairing(s), genre, etc)

Is there anything you DON’T want to see in your gift fic?

If you have any questions about anything please ask.

Also, please share this post with any other writers you think would be interested in participating if you feel comfortable enough to do so. Thank you. 

#biadore #pearlet #craquaria #shalaska #trixya #rpdr fanfiction #rpdr christmas fic exchange #vatya #bitney #witney #willaska #sashea

[purecamp]

The 32/34 prompt for Alaska x Sharon x Willam but like, not necessarily smut cause I know you're not comfortable writing those, maybe something funny! Thankss

gotcha!! thanks sm!

Alaska cringed at Willam’s expression of sheer outrage. Her jaw had dropped, her eyes widening in abject horror as she stared past Alaska and to the girl behind her. So far, already, things were going less than stellar.

“Look, I-” Alaska started, mentally refreshing her prepared speech. She had it all planned out - she was gonna pitch her idea to Willam, explain why it was the best (and only) option for them, and then try to paint it in a better light so that neither party were offended.

Unfortunately, despite Alaska’s brilliant plan, she had failed to consider one very important, damning aspect. Sharon wasn’t exactly one to just sit quietly.

In fact, no. Sharon wasn’t one to ever fucking shut up, and it was open before Alaska could finish her sentence. So much for the plan.

“Face it, bitch, I’m exactly what you need.” She smirked, crossing her arms over her chest and, like her nemesis, staring straight past Alaska and to Willam. Everything about her radiated a smug confidence, which Alaska knew Willam would find infuriating, given that was usually her thing. Whilst Sharon conveyed Willam’s usual coolness, Willam herself seemed enraged.

“I’ve needed many things in my life, Needles.” Willam spat. “Needles, for one. Casts on broken arms. Vibrators. Three guys all at once. Two girls at once. A new bed because of all of that. But you - I’ve never needed you. And I never will.”

Sharon grinned. “Oh really? Well, Lasky, I guess I can just go-”

“Wait!” Alaska cried out, exasperated. “Don’t go! Listen, Willam, we both know that to make this work, we need three.With Courtney gone, we need her.”

Willam’s face was sour, but there was a pensive look behind her eyes that told Alaska she was, at last, considering the idea. It was a last-ditch attempt, of course, but she tried her best to keep going.

Sharon folded her arms again, smug as ever. “You might not like me, but you definitely want me.”

“Fuck off,” Willam replied. “I’ve never wanted anything less than you.”

But her gaze had softened, and if anything, her pupils were as blown as Alaska had seen them on night’s out, when she was nestled into sleazy club corners with various girls and guys. If sex appeal was the appeal she had to use to get Willam on board with Sharon, then so be it... Ugh.

“Okay, great!” Alaska piped up, eager to keep things moving. “Sharon, there’s a room in there for you to change and get your hair done. Our girl is really good, she’ll do you right.”

Sharon winked and began to head out, but Willam stopped her in her tracks, outraged a second time.

“She’s a fucking stand in! Why does she get the same treatment as us!”

Alaska ignored Sharon’s whispered Wow, that’s racist and rolled her eyes.

“Bill. We all get the same, no matter what.”

“Yeah,” Sharon added, scrunching up her nose and grinning. “Fair’s fair. You’re acting like this is your first threesome.”

The sheer tiredness that burrowed into Alaska’s body was enough to make her collapse, but she settled for a colossal sigh of disappointment and exasperation. Such was the case when wrangling Sharon and Willam, she supposed.

“Please, Sharon... Stop calling it a threesome.” She deadpanned. “We’re a girl group.”

Sharon only winked cheekily and sauntered away, humming the tune to some undoubtedly ancient punk song. When the door closed behind her, Alaska turned on Willam.

“You like her.”

“I fucking love her, you know I do.”

“God bless Courtney’s shitty immune system.”

“Veganism is for idiots. Anyway, she does know the moves, right?”

“I KNOW ALL THE MOVES! I CAN DO IT JUST HOW YOU LIKE IT!”

“I knew there was a reason I liked her.”

“It would make my life so much easier if you acted like it.”

#this is dumb #asks #prompts #shillam #shalaska #willaska

[veronicasanders]

My Fanfic

Hey all! Here's a list of all my Drag Race fanfiction so far. Word counts rounded, usually to the nearest thousand. XOXO

Come talk to me anytime! There's nothing more inspiring than getting feedback from someone who's read your work and wants more. <3

WIPS

Galactica (Multiship Fashion AU) Collab with TheDane. EPIC AU involving the lesbian mafia of the fashion world, loosely based on The Devil Wears Prada. Centered on Violet, who is a young designer working for Miss Fame. AQ LINK and AO3 LINK Note: the Original “main” story (695K words) can be found at this series link, along with a bunch of prequels/sequels: AO3

Also in the works, please hit me up if these sound interesting: Sequels to both Tree House Kisses and Undone. A Parent Trap AU. A dystopian ABC AU based on Yentl.

COMPLETED MULTICHAPTER

Tree House Kisses (Adorney Lesbian AU featuring Bitney/Viadore/Rajadore/Pearlet, and other misc ships) - 46 Chapters, 185K words Collab with Scorpio. Angsty High School Lesbian AU. Scorpio lets me help with this one out of pity because I was so obsessed with their first chapter. Now our baby is finally done and a sequel is in the works. AQ LINK and AO3 LINK

Undone (Bitney - Lesbian AU) 
- 30 Chapters, 79K words Collab with Stephanie. Slow-burn Bitney with many complications (like Bianca’s real shitty OC husband). Features generally Courtney-centric smut with other queens besides Bianca (Violet, Fame, Valentina, Tatianna). AQ LINK, AO3 LINK and LINK TO SERIES Sequels: Come Here Often? - Fluffy porn that involves first-meeting roleplay. (2600 words) Sleepless in Santa Monica - Porn and domestic fluff. (4800 words)

Exposed (Bitney - Canon Compliant) - 24 Chapters, 61K words A “slow burn” love story of their relationship from before Drag Race airs through a few years later. AO3 LINK

Just Friends Series (Bitney/Willaska - Lesbian AU) AQ LINK (for all chapters in order) or AO3 LINK to Series Collab with Albatross. Two intersecting college au lesbian stories: No Strings Attached (Willaska - 33K words) and Off Limits (Bitney - 37K words)

The M Chronicles (Bitney Series featuring both AU and Canon Compliant stories) A series of Bitney vignettes inspired by Madonna songs. AO3 LINK to Series Candy Shop/I’m Addicted/Inside Out AKA Madonna Femslash Trilogy - Three chapters of Lesbian AU. Bianca is a DJ, Courtney is a gogo dancer. Lots of smut and some feelings too. (13K words) Holy Water - Canon compliant jealousy smut (5K words) Open Your Heart - M/M HS/College AU based on the prompt “you were my high school crush, now we are college roommates.” (8K words)

Sugar and Spice (Bitney HS AU) - 12 chapters, 23K words Collab with Edith. Mean Girls meets West Side Story. Not really finished but the slow burn is over. AO3 LINK

I’m Not Gay (Bitney/Jalaska - High School AU) - 15 Chapters, 50K words Roy is a senior in HS when Shane, a freshman, moves from Australia. Set in the fall of 1996. Overalls! RENT! Mix Tapes!!! FRIENDS! M/M Bitney and lesbian Jalaska. AO3 LINK

Endless Love (Bitney - M/M AU) - 26 Chapters, 54K words Collab with Fiore. Childhood to Adult AU. Roy and Shane are best friends who grow up across the street from each other. (If Childhood AU is not your thing but you're still interested, you can skip straight to Chapter 13 when they're grown-up, it's written so that it still makes sense without the earlier chapters.) AO3 LINK

ONESHOTS

After The World Ends AKA Porn in the Woods (Witney/Sashea/Biadore Lesbian AU Oneshot) Post-Apocalyptic Lesbian AU written as a birthday present for the lovely Dandee, featuring all your faves trying to survive in the woods after Trump’s presidency has destroyed the US. And using sex as a coping mechanism. AQ LINK

Boy Drag (Bitney - Canon Compliant Oneshot) - 2K words Based on their “prom date” social media shenanigans and Courtney’s overt shipping. AO3 LINK

Naptime (Bitney - Canon Compliant Oneshot) - 3K words Some canon Bitney smut based on their social media shenanigans before Courtney went on tour with the AAA girls. AQ LINK and AO3 LINK

One Single Moment (Bitney, Canon Compliant Oneshot) - 7K words AQ Fic Challenge - Jealousy, anger, rain-soaked confessions, and eventual smut. Just your average Pride. AQ LINK and AO3 LINK

Puzzle Pieces and Glitter in the Air (Canon compliant Shandrew) Andrew tries unsuccessfully to fight his feelings. And a Smutty Mardi Gras follow-up.

OTHER FUN LINKS

Galactica Wardrobe Posts

Art Inspired by Undone

Art Inspired by Tree House Kisses

My tag on Artificial Queens

My Bitney tag

#my fic #fanfiction #rpdr fanfiction #courtney act #bianca del rio #adore delano

[willaska]

mizaquaria is now willaska

#thoughts?? #i love mizaquaria so much but wanted a change #did i make a mistake

[artificialvixen]

So I'm thinking I'm going to do a series of historical AU's with different ships. Ships in mind are - Trixya Katlaska Pearlet - Gone with the Wind AU for sure. Bitney Witney But I'd like to do some rarer pairings - Naochi maybe? Or Willaska, Bob x Derrick. I dunno, still planning it in my head and it'll be a while to come to fruition due to research and stuff.

[artificialqueens]

Off Limits, Chapter 7/7 (Bitney) - Veronica/Albatross

A/N: Hey guys! This is the companion story to “No Strings Attached.” Both ships are in both stories, but generally, “No Strings Attached” is Willaska-focused and this one is Bitney-focused. (Link to all chapters in order.)

If you like anything about this story, it’s really @aqalbatross who deserves the thanks, because she’s the one who came up with the idea and convinced me to come along for the ride. Thanks for twisting my arm, Albie. You’ve been super fun to work (and argue) with during the creation of this story. <3

Also, thank you from the bottom of my heart to wonderful betas for this story: @artificialpuddle and @opalescent-cheetah, and a special shout-out to Dartmouth420 for giving the most motivating, sweetest feedback on every single chapter—I hope you enjoy the little cameo I included for you. XO

Chapter Summary: Welcome to the supersized final chapter, where Courtney and Bianca navigate their new relationship, and find out that they’re not the only ones in their apartment living out a romantic comedy.

TW for a moment of controlling/domineering behavior that immediately gets shut down

***

Courtney hovered over Bianca on the bed, practically salivating at the sight of her all disheveled--blouse open, skirt unzipped and pushed down around her thighs, lipstick smeared, normally perfect hair mussed against the pillow. The dark green of her bra and panties looked sinfully gorgeous against her skin, just as Courtney knew it would. Courtney felt almost dizzy as she tugged on her clothes, pulling off her skirt the rest of the way and helping her wriggle out of the blouse.

She pulled one of the lacy bra cups down to reveal her breast, swirling her tongue around the nipple and then blowing on it gently, watching it harden. She took the now stiff nipple back into her mouth and sucked hard, eliciting a moan.

“Baby…” Bianca panted, her own hands sliding up Courtney’s thighs, under her dress.

Courtney continued to press wet kisses over Bianca’s chest, reaching behind her to unhook the bra, watching as her perfect tits spilled out. She was so beautiful, so deliciously sexy, Courtney felt her breath hitch as her eyes roamed greedily over Bianca’s curves.

“Please…” Bianca was trying to ease Courtney’s dress up.

Courtney sat back on her heels to assist, pulling the dress over her head and flinging it aside into the pile of discarded clothes. She slid her hands over Bianca’s body, desperate to touch every inch of her. Bianca seemed to be of the same mind, fingers raking down her ribs to her waist, knuckles brushing teasingly over the front of her cotton panties, which Courtney had now soaked through.

“God, you’re so wet,” Bianca groaned. Finished with teasing, she stuffed her hand down the front of Courtney’s panties, stroking her, pulling gasps of pleasure from her. Her fingers slipped inside easily, curling against Courtney’s g-spot as goosebumps broke out all over her arms.

A low moan escaped Courtney’s lips as she fucked down into Bianca’s fingers, knuckles turning white where she gripped the sheets. Bianca’s spare hand rested on her ass, kneading it, helping her to guide the rhythm of her frantic hips.

Courtney buried her face in Bianca’s neck, losing herself in the scent of her perfume, the familiarity of it only spurring her on as shivers rippled down her spine.

“Fuck, Bianca…” she moaned, trembling on the edge as she began to lose her grip on reality, the room spinning as she hurtled into the dizzying recesses of pleasure, clinging to Bianca for dear life.

*

The sound of Bianca’s name dripping from her lips was perfect. She breathed in the moment greedily, swallowing up her moans as spasms began to rip through Courtney’s body, working her faster and faster. The ache in Bianca’s arm soon burned in the best way, and she pushed through, not stopping until Courtney had collapsed in a heap beside her.

“Was that good, baby?” Bianca pressed a kiss against her temple, smiling at the weak murmur of agreement that escaped her.

Bianca couldn’t help sucking her slick fingers up to her mouth, already addicted to the taste of her, addicted to the feeling of her panting, sated body pressed against Bianca’s in the narrow bed. She sighed happily, one arm curled around Courtney’s shoulders, stroking her sweat-dampened skin.

After a few minutes, Courtney lifted her head and said, “You keep doing that.”

“Keep doing what?”

“You know…” Courtney's eyes lowered bashfully, cheeks still red.

“Making you come?”

“No. I mean, yes, but…” Courtney bit her lip. “I was trying to make you come.”

“Well...I don’t know what to tell you, babydoll,” Bianca smirked. “I guess you have to work faster.”

“Is that a dare?” Courtney’s eyes glittered as she rolled back on top of Bianca, fingers trailing down her collarbone.

“Well, I-” Bianca let out a small gasp as Courtney gently pinched one her nipples between her fingers, a thigh pressed against her, tongue invading her mouth.

She arched up, body thrumming with need as Courtney nibbled against her neck, hot mouth moving swiftly down her body.

Bianca threaded her hands into Courtney’s hair, pretending that she was still in control as she guided her head down. Courtney slipped her fingers underneath the lacy underwear, dragging them down slowly over her thighs.

“You are so fucking hot,” Courtney said, warm breath making Bianca shiver.

She raised her knees, allowing Courtney to pull the panties off, abdomen tight with excitement as she settled in between her legs, fingers dancing up her thighs.

“Yeah?”

“Mmmhmm…” Courtney bent down and placed a light kiss against her, just below her belly button.

“Courtney-”

“Yees?” Courtney drew out the word, nuzzling a cheek against the tenderest spot of her inner thigh.

Bianca gulped.

“Am I doing something wrong?” Courtney asked, suddenly looking a bit insecure about the whole endeavor. “Do you want me to stop?”

“No, I just...I don’t want you to feel like you have to.”

“I want to. Really,” Courtney insisted. “I’m dead sure.”

Bianca chuckled softly, finally letting her body relax completely. It felt strange, the surrender, but also like exactly what she needed.

***

Later that night, folded in Bianca’s arms, playing with her fingers, Courtney found her mind wandering, the pesky insecurities that she’d been pushing aside all day rearing their ugly heads. Thoughts she’d never had before with anyone she’d been with, like where is this going and does she like me the way I like her and how do I measure up.

“B...can I ask you something?”

“Sure.” Bianca nuzzled into the back of her head.

“How many girlfriends have you had?”

Bianca laughed.

“I’m serious!” Courtney squeezed her hand.  

“Well…I haven’t exactly had any...formal arrangements,” Bianca finally said.

“Oh.”

“You know, I just never had much use for the word ‘girlfriend.’”

Courtney turned around to face her, cheeks warm and a little flushed as she asked, “Do you think you would ever...want one?”  

A grin spread across Bianca’s face and she asked, “Why, you wanna be my girlfriend?”

She looked adorable, but Courtney couldn’t tell if the expression on her face was because she was teasing, or because she was actually into the idea.

“Do you want to be my girlfriend?” Courtney countered, heart racing.  

“I asked you first.”

Courtney swallowed. She knew that she was being silly. This conversation probably should have waited a bit. But biding her time was never Courtney’s strength. She was more the “shut your eyes and leap” type.

“Well…I know it’s probably too soon to label it. I just wanted to know what you think about...us. Eventually.” She bit her lip, cheeks now burning with embarrassment.

“Okay, and I asked you what you wanted.” Bianca’s dimples deepened, and Courtney couldn’t help touching them.

“I don’t want to pressure you,” Courtney said. Her voice felt small and stupid and she squeezed her eyes shut.

“I don’t feel pressured,” Bianca said, pulling her closer. “And you still haven’t answered. Do you want to be my girlfriend?”

“Yes,” Courtney admitted, face pressed to Bianca’s shoulder, her words muffled.

Bianca cupped her chin and pressed a sweet kiss to her lips.

“Good.”

“You don’t think it’s too soon?” Courtney searched her dark eyes.

“It’s a little soon. But...you’re a lot hot. So...”

Courtney laughed, feeling her whole body melting against Bianca with a relieved sigh. This was all she wanted, this closeness. To know that Bianca wanted her, that they were on the same page. It was never like this with boys; any boyfriend she’d ever had had been a fleeting whim, some guy who chased her until she finally said yes, and then quickly grew bored of once the novelty wore off. With Bianca, she found herself, maybe for the first time, subject to a kind of uncontrolled, soul-crushing desire. The whole ordeal was incredibly embarrassing, not to mention an emotional rollercoaster.

“Are you happy?” Bianca whispered against her mouth.

“Uh huh...now I know what to call you when I tell my mum.”

Bianca lifted one eyebrow. “What exactly are you planning to tell her?”

“Everything! We’re very close,” Courtney said.

“Everything?!”

“Well, no, not everything.” Courtney buried her face back into Bianca’s neck with a giggle, and Bianca wrapped her up into a hug.

“Perfect.”  

***

Courtney had plenty of choice opinions about the United States, but one thing she would never complain about was how big and elaborate American Halloween celebrations were. She loved all of it, but especially the costumes, getting to live a fantasy for a night.

And this year, she’d convinced Bianca to do a couples costume, something she’d always wanted to do. (She was a little surprised, and a lot grateful, at how easily Bianca went along with it.) After a trip to both a Halloween shop and a high end vintage store, they’d settled on Bonnie and Clyde, Bianca pulling her sewing machine out from under the bed in order to perfect the tailoring and make sure all the details were accurate, really getting into the spirit.

Courtney loved her costume--a form-fitting sweater, pencil skirt, and jaunty little beret. But she loved Bianca’s Clyde costume even more. She’d never in her life seen anything as sexy as Bianca in high-waisted pin-stripe pants, suspenders and a fedora, coat slung casually over her shoulders.

She sat at the desk chair, gazing lovingly up at Bianca in her suit as she bobby-pinned her beret securely in place, and it was all she could do to keep from drooling. Alaska stood in front of her makeup mirror, putting the finishing touches on her Morticia Addams look.

Willam opened the door to announce that she was ready to go, and immediately rolled her eyes. “Goddamn, this is some gay shit.”

“I know, aren’t we cute?” Courtney replied, shrugging benignly.

“Sure,” Willam said, as if she was one to judge, standing there in her sluttiest dress and pair of 6-inch heels.

“What are you supposed to be, anyway?” Courtney asked her, one eyebrow raised.

“A person who’s gonna get laid tonight,” Willam answered, as if it was obvious. She turned her attention to Bianca. “And you…you look…”

“What?” Bianca bristled, clearly ready for an insult, crossing her arms.

“Kinda hot?” Willam finished.

“That’s what I said!” Alaska exclaimed from across the room.

Bianca opened her mouth, about to toss out a sarcastic reply, when Courtney snaked her arms around her waist, pulling her into her lap.

“Totally hot,” she whispered.

“Ugh, you just ruined it,” Willam said, flouncing out of the room.

There was something especially thrilling for Courtney about being back at Sierra’s, with Bianca for real this time, everyone in the club knowing that they belonged together. She hung on to her arm, only half-listening to the conversation her roommates had struck up with Raja and Manila, mostly just gazing at Bianca with heart eyes and thinking about how sexy she looked in her suit. And making a plan of attack for exactly how she was gonna rip it off later. She already knew that some kind of special underwear was involved--she’d seen the bag that morning, emblazoned with the logo from a vintage shop downtown, but Bianca had stopped her before she’d had a chance to peek, telling her that it was a surprise.

She looked back at Manila, who was finishing a story, saying, “...but she really needed those chips, I guess it was worth it!”

The rest of the group burst out laughing, Raja covering her face with her hand as Manila leaned in to kiss her cheek, and Courtney realized that she had no goddamn clue what they were talking about. But no matter. Her eyes wandered around the crowded club, spotting a welcome sight on stage--Adore and her band setting up. She squealed happily, squeezing Bianca’s hand.

“Omigod, that’s Adore!”

“Great, my favorite person,” came Bianca’s sarcastic reply, and Courtney laughed. After all, everything had worked out, so why would she be holding a grudge?

“She’s cool. You don’t like her?” Raja asked, head tilted curiously.

“Well…”

“We should go say hi,” Courtney said.

“Pass.”

“Come on,” Courtney cajoled, wrapping her hands around Bianca’s arm. “Don’t you think we should thank her?”

“Thank her for what?”

“For being cool, and kind, and helping us actually admit our feelings?” Courtney raised her eyebrows.  

“Please,” Bianca scoffed.

“Fine, don’t come, but I’m gonna go say hi,” Courtney told her, and turned towards the stage.

Bianca grabbed her sleeve, sternly saying, “No, you’re fuckin’ not.”

Alaska gasped slightly, eyebrows shooting up, and Willam lifted her drink to muffle her incredulous laughter. Even Raja and Manila looked scandalized, eyes wide as they watched the drama unfold.

“Ohhh shit,” Manila whispered, fingers digging into Raja’s arm.

Courtney turned back to Bianca slowly. Normally, she didn’t mind her girlfriend’s overbearing, Type-A bossiness. In fact, she found it cute. But this was over the line, and everyone else seemed to agree. Just because Courtney was easygoing did not mean that she was a pushover, and if Bianca thought she could order her around, or forbid her from talking to someone, she had another think coming.

There was a heated moment as Courtney stared Bianca down, no one saying anything. Courtney could feel Bianca’s grip loosening, see her hard expression faltering as her cheeks grew red.

“I mean...uh...just kidding?” Bianca finally stammered out, letting go completely, forcing a guilty smile.

“Good one,” Courtney said simply, turning and heading to the stage without a second glance. She smiled to herself when she heard Bianca’s footsteps behind her, catching up.

“You know, maybe...” Bianca said, clearing her throat, “maybe we should both say hi.”

“Right.” Courtney slipped her hand into Bianca’s to show her that all was forgiven, feeling rather victorious as she bounded over to Adore, waving up at her. “Adore! Hey! Happy Halloween!”

“Heyyy!” Adore cried back. “Omigod, you look so fuckin’ cute!”

“Thank you. You do too!”

Adore was dressed as what appeared to be a goth zombie cat. She pawed the air with one fishnet-clad hand and said, “Meow.”

Courtney giggled, adding, “I didn’t realize you guys were performing tonight, I’m so psyched to see you again!”

“Aww, thanks! I’m glad things worked out with you guys, you-” She paused then, doing a double-take, looking Bianca up and down, finishing with a simple, “Damn.”

Courtney giggled again, wrapping her hands around Bianca’s arm, proud to be with her and happy that she was getting exactly the reaction she deserved to that costume. Even cuter was how all the attention seemed to catch her off-guard, clearing her throat and shifting around, the faintest blush coloring her cheeks.

“Um...We wanted to say thanks, for looking out for Courtney when I was, uh-”

“Being a fucking idiot?” Adore supplied.

“Yeah.”

“It was my pleasure,” Adore said, smiling sweetly. She gave both of them another once-over, then asked, “So...what are you guys doin’ after the party?”

Bianca’s spine stiffened and Courtney laughed, telling her, “Relax, she’s kidding.”

“I’m totally kidding,” Adore said, then after a beat shook her head and caught Courtney’s eye, mouthing, ‘I’m not kidding.’

Courtney giggled some more, enjoying the attention from Adore just as much last time.

“Is that Alaska calling us?” Bianca asked, tugging slightly on Courtney’s arm.

“No? Adore, I wanted to ask you if you-”

“Coming, Alaska!” Bianca called loudly to no one, pulling Courtney away.

Nobody believed Bianca for a second, but at least she’d made a small effort. It was better than nothing.

“Bye, Adore! Break a leg!” Courtney tossed one last glance at Adore, giving her a half eye-roll, receiving a flirty wink in return.

“Byeee!”

After some wheedling and pouting, Courtney convinced Bianca to dance, and now she got to feel her up on the dance floor, the thought of jealous eyes on them making Courtney’s heart hammer in her chest.

“Are you having a good time?” Bianca asked, as Courtney fingered her suspenders.

“Mmhmm...are you?”

“Yeah. But you know what would be better?” Bianca murmured.  

“What?”

“If all the rest of these people were...somewhere else.”

Courtney shivered slightly, Bianca’s eyes on her doing all kinds of things to her. She gazed up at her, feeling like the luckiest girl alive to be getting undivided attention from someone so perfect, so beautiful.

“What people?” Courtney finally asked, eyes falling closed as Bianca’s lips found her neck, letting the world fall away, music and lights and bodies around them blurring into an indistinguishable swirl of energy. The only thing that mattered was Bianca, and her hands, and her lips, the frantic pulse of their heartbeats in sync.

“Let’s get out of here.”

***

As well as they knew each other before hooking up, there was still a lot that surprised Bianca about Courtney. New little quirks and qualities she was constantly learning about. But maybe the most welcome surprise was her voracious sexual appetite, how her constant hunger made Bianca feel more desirable than she ever had before.

Tonight was no exception, as Courtney pulled off her costume in a desperate rush, eyes taking her in. She’d selected a cream and powder-blue vintage lingerie set, decorated with almost demure eyelet around the edges, a sharp contrast to her tailored costume. Courtney kneeled over her, looking hungry and wild-eyed, like she wanted to swallow her whole.

“You like?” Bianca asked softly, and instead of words, the answer she got was a pained whimper, Courtney capturing her lips in a kiss that left her breathless and reeling.

“Do you know how sexy you are, B?” Courtney whispered, hands wandering over her body. She seemed to be working hard to slow her own breathing, chest heaving slowly.

“Look who’s talking,” Bianca said. She pushed Courtney’s blouse off her shoulders, revealing her own dark burgundy lipstick mark from earlier, and then unzipped her skirt with shaky fingers. And fuck, she was wearing Bianca’s own underwear, a lacy red pair, and it was so hot Bianca could barely hold it together. “Shit.”  

Courtney smiled down at her and began to slowly undress her, pressing kisses to every inch of bared skin. Bianca threaded a hand into her hair, the other gripping a handful of sheets.

“Don’t forget to-”

“Relax,” Courtney said with a smirk. “I know what you like.”

Fuck. Tingles rippled through Bianca’s body, and it was a few long moments before she could gather her wits, raising herself up on her elbow and forcing out a sarcastic reply. “Excuse me, ma’am, it’s been three weeks, how are you this cocky?”

Courtney grinned adorably, turning her lips towards Bianca’s thigh, sucking gently at first, then harder, bringing a faint mark to the surface of her skin. When Bianca tightened a hand in her hair, pressing her head down, Courtney actually looked up at her and laughed.

“Nice try.”

“Fuck…” Bianca huffed out a sigh, falling backwards. She watched Courtney through heavy-lidded eyes as she continued to tease her, peppering her thighs with kisses soft as butterfly wings.

And then, she proceeded at the most infuriatingly leisurely pace--treating her body like an endless buffet spread out before her, making sure to taste everything before going back for more. Bianca’s chest heaved, choking back her whimpers so as not to reveal how well it was working.

It was her own damn fault. Bianca knew that. Of course, everything she’d said about going slow was to blame for the current torture that she was suffering through. She just didn’t anticipate Courtney catching on so quickly, besting her at her own game so completely.

Holding back wasn’t possible anymore, and she let out a moan, body arching into Courtney’s hot mouth, grinding against her tongue, unraveling completely in her arms. Soon she was gasping, slick with sweat, and still Courtney didn’t let up, sucking kisses up her stomach, fingers sliding easily inside her as a mouth closed around her nipple.

“Fuck, fuck…” Tears collected in Bianca’s eyes as she came once again, blonde hair clutched in her hands. She was so far gone that she barely noticed Courtney’s lips traveling up her collarbone, didn’t comprehend what she whispered into her ear. “...What?”

“I said,” Courtney repeated, punctuating her statement with a soft kiss on her pulse point, “Thank you for being such a good girl for me.”

The only response Bianca managed was a breathy sigh, then a sharp gasp as Courtney eased her fingers out. She put them into her own mouth first, then gave Bianca a naughty look, sliding two fingers past her parted lips.

“Taste how fucking delicious you are…”

Bianca obeyed, shivering with pleasure.

“There you go…” Courtney cooed, before adding again, “Such a good girl.”

“Are you patronizing me?” Bianca asked groggily, turning her face towards Courtney, eyes struggling to stay open.

“Yes...do you like it?”

The truth was, Bianca liked all of it. She liked how easy it was for them to switch roles, how Courtney kept her on her toes.  

She liked the late-night cuddling and the stupid couple’s costume and bringing a huge bouquet of pink roses to Courtney’s first Cabaret performance. She liked how easy it was to put a smile on her face, to make her laugh, how they constantly found new things to bicker about. She liked standing in the grocery check-out with fingers laced together, cooking dinner side by side, and the comfortable weight of a head on her shoulder while they curled up for movie night.

She liked Courtney’s dry sense of humor and her infectious enthusiasm, her surprising self-assuredness. She liked her softness and her sense of whimsy, how they always had fun together no matter what they were doing. She liked how much Courtney cared about things, how she’d get indignantly angry at litter and engage in heated political debates in the middle of house parties.

Most of all, she liked Courtney.

One evening, while standing at the stove, she glanced up to see Courtney chopping vegetables for their salad, making that cute, dumb face where her tongue poked slightly out of the side of her mouth, and she was struck with a new thought. A warm feeling bloomed in her chest as Courtney put a piece of red pepper into her mouth.

“Hey…”

Courtney looked up questioningly, the pepper dangling from her lips like a cigarette, and Bianca knew that she needed to blurt it out before she lost her nerve.

“I love you, you know.”

Green eyes went wide, and there was a split second of nausea, Bianca not knowing what to expect. And then before she had a chance to blink, Courtney had closed the distance between then, sweeping her up into her arms. The kiss that followed sucked all the air out of her lungs, made her dizzy to the point where she had to grapple for the counter to stay upright.

“I love you too, B, I love you so much…” Courtney murmured against her mouth, immediately going in for another urgent kiss. Hands slid up to cradle her face, thumbs stroking her cheekbones.

“Yeah?” she panted.

“So, so fucking much.”

Bianca wrapped her arms tighter around Courtney’s waist.

“Well thank fuck for that.”

***

Courtney wouldn’t lie: her grades had suffered this semester. There was a good month where her head was entirely in the clouds, so wrapped up in the honeymoon bliss of her new relationship that she avoided any and all responsibilities, procrastinating and putting things off, until so much work had piled up that catching up felt like a daunting task.

But catch up she did, working her ass off during much of November. Between her classes, the play, and Bianca, she barely had a moment to stop and look around. Maybe that’s why she missed all the signs.

Or, maybe they were just real good at sneaking around.

Either way, it came as an absolute shock when she found out about Willam and Alaska. At least, at first it was a shock. But an even bigger shock was the way Willam blushed and stammered when Courtney interrogated her. They’d known each other for over two years, and Courtney had never seen her so self conscious. It was actually rather adorable.  

The more she thought about it, though, the more obvious it seemed. They’d had a special bond from the beginning, a kind of affectionate camaraderie that must have made them perfectly compatible. And when she reported the news to Bianca, her girlfriend seemed to agree: it just kind of made sense, didn’t it?

Formally, officially switching rooms also made sense. They set aside Saturday to do it, but it ended up taking less than an hour, since so many of their things had already migrated. Looked like they’d be able to make it to brunch earlier than they planned.

“Do you want to push the beds together?” Courtney asked, stripping off her yoga pants and t-shirt to look through her closet for something to wear. She’d seen Willam and Alaska doing just that with the beds, and thought it was probably a good idea. They’d certainly have a lot more space.

“Nah…” Bianca wrapped her arms around Courtney’s waist from behind, pulling her onto her own bed and wrestling her onto her back. “I kinda like being stuffed into a twin bed, it gives me an excuse to snuggle you.”

Courtney giggled, surrendering fully to the attack. She reached up to touch Bianca’s cheek.

“Nobody would ever believe how snuggly you are.”

“Nope,” Bianca told her solemnly. “And don’t tell. It would completely destroy my boss-ass bitch reputation.”

“Hmm...but isn’t the true boss the person who can admit how much they like snuggling?” Courtney raised an eyebrow, challenging her.

“Don’t try those backwards logic mind tricks on me, missy.” Bianca tickled her ribs until she was laughing so hard she gasped for air.

“Okay, okay…I give up!”

Bianca grinned, dimples deep in her cheeks, and lay down beside her, a head on her shoulder, nose tucked against her neck. It was a perfect, lovely moment. Except...Courtney let out a deep sigh.

“What’s wrong?” Bianca asked, taking her hand and placing a kiss inside her wrist.

“Why do you think something’s wrong?” Courtney asked.

“Because I know you, and that wasn’t a happy sigh. So...tell me what’s wrong.”

“Well…” Courtney hesitated, not really wanting to share her current, embarrassing thoughts. “It’s kind of dumb.”

“I mean, most of what you say is pretty dumb, so…”

Courtney chuckled weakly, and Bianca lifted her head.

“That was a joke.”

“I know. I’m sorry, I-”

Bianca brushed a light kiss against her lips, so gentle, and then Courtney couldn’t stop the tears that began trickling down her cheeks. She sat up, hiding her face in her hands.

“Babydoll...please tell me what’s going on.”

“It’s so stupid,” Courtney said, still covering her face, feeling silly and childish. “I just...I’m gonna miss you next week, when you go home.”

“For Thanksgiving?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m only going for 4 days,” Bianca reminded her, nuzzling her cheeks.

“I know! I told you it was stupid,” Courtney laughed, letting Bianca kiss away the tears. “I feel like a fucking idiot.”

“You’re not an idiot. You’re sweet.”

“I think I must be getting my period,” Courtney said, shaking her head. How could she be getting this upset over a long weekend apart? Since when had she become such a co-dependent, emotional nightmare? “I’m sorry.”

Bianca cocked her head to the side, and for a few moments, Courtney couldn’t bear to meet her gaze. When she finally did, expecting to see a judgmental grin, or that signature smirk, both of which she would fully deserve, she was surprised to instead find warm brown eyes, soft with compassion.

“You should come with me,” Bianca said.  

“What? Be serious.”

“I am serious.” Bianca sat up, reaching for her laptop. “It’ll be fun! I think you’d like New Orleans, and as it’s bound to be nicer than whatever sad little event the International Student Center is planning.”

Courtney rubbed her eyes. “Bianca, you can’t possibly be-”

“Look, there’s still seats left on my flights,” Bianca said. “It’s a shitty connection, but it’s cheap. So...wanna come?”

“You really mean it?” Courtney whispered.

“Definitely. It’ll make the weekend ten times better to have you there.”  

“And your mum won’t mind?”

“She’s got 5 kids and 6 grandkids, you think she’ll notice one extra person?” Bianca asked.

“That’s true...I assume I’ll blend right in.”

Bianca let out a cackle, shaking her head. “Perfectly. Does that mean yes?”

The smile on Courtney’s face was making her cheeks hurt. She crawled over to Bianca, throwing her arms around her neck.

“Yes. Definitely yes.” Courtney smiled, tears finally drying on her cheeks, leaning a head on Bianca’s shoulders as she purchased the tickets. She fingered the zipper on Bianca’s sweatshirt and asked, “Do you think your family will like me?”

“They’ll love you.”

“Because you love me?” she asked, batting her lashes.

“No, they could give half a shit about my opinions. They’ll love you because you’re infuriatingly lovable. It’s one of your most annoying qualities.”

Courtney giggled, pressing a series of kisses to Bianca’s face. “I love you too, B.”

“Done,” Bianca said, setting the computer aside and turning towards Coutney with a grin. “Are you happy?”

“So happy,” Courtney whispered, capturing her lips in a sweet, soft kiss.

“Good.” Bianca rested her forehead against Courtney’s, dimples deep in her cheeks.  

“So...are you excited to fuck me in your childhood bed?” Courtney asked, and Bianca burst out laughing, flipping her onto her back.

“You filthy bitch…” Bianca growled in her ear.

“Does that mean yes?” Courtney asked, lashes fluttering.

“Hell yeah.” Bianca began to trail kisses down her jaw, and Courtney sighed happily, feeling like a giant weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

Bianca had already said that she loved her, but a piece of her had been stressing, privately: what did Bianca mean by that? Did she love her the way Courtney loved Bianca? Now, she felt like she could finally bask in the blissful knowledge that they really were on the same page. Courtney raked her nails up Bianca’s back, under her sweatshirt, eyes falling closed as Bianca’s lips moved to her neck, fingers slipping under her bralette.

“Hey, bitches, are we doing brunch or what?” Willam banged open the door. “Oh my god, can you ever just stop?”

“Yeah, soz. We got distracted,” Courtney said with a grin, still laying down, making a very halfhearted attempt to cover her chest.

“Clearly.”

“Well...oops,” she laughed, then furrowed her brow in confusion. “Bill, what are you wearing? It’s November.”

“Yeah, in California,” Willam said, slipping on a pair of sunglasses. She was dressed in a floaty little sundress with spaghetti straps and a pair of platform sandals.

“You’re gonna freeze!”

“If she wants to freeze, let her freeze,” Bianca said, then added, “Give us like 20 minutes to get ready.”

“You can have 15! I want a mimosa, goddammit!” Willam barked, shutting the door.

“Joke’s on her,” Bianca murmured, lips grazing Courtney’s pulse point. “‘Cause I only need 5.”

***

“Hmmm...I don’t know what I want,” Courtney said, looking over the drink menu. It was such a beautiful day with such great company that she’d forgotten to look until the server, a harried looking girl called Michelle, appeared at their table.

“Bitch, just pick something!” said Willam. “Some of us want to start day drinking while it’s still daytime.”

“I’m sorry!” Courtney laughed. “It’s just that today is so special, and-”

“Ugh,” Willam groaned, and Alaska hushed her gently with a hand on her thigh.

“-And I need something appropriately celebratory. Not a boring old mimosa. Although...I mean I do like champagne…”

Bianca reached over and lowered her menu, telling the server to, “Just bring her a bellini.”

“What’s a bellini?”

“You’ll love it,” Bianca promised. “It’s peach juice and prosecco. Sweet and bubbly.”

“Just like you, Court,” Alaska added with a grin.

Despite the sneaking suspicion that she was being mocked, Courtney looked up at Michelle and nodded. “That sounds perfect.”

She nodded, giving a quick salute and then scampering back inside.

Courtney scanned through the menu again, determined not to make them all wait for her when it was time to order food. She quickly made a decision and then closed the menu, looking around at her friends with a happy sigh.

In spite of the chilly Autumn breeze, the sun was bright in the sky, warming them gently. It was so nice to be together like this, finally, as couples. She tilted her head, realizing that Alaska’s turquoise pleather motorcycle jacket was very familiar.

“Alaska, I love your jacket.” Courtney took a delicate sip of her water.

“It’s Will’s,” Alaska said.

Courtney rested her chin in her hand, gazing at Alaska and Willam with heart eyes, unable to hide her grin.

“I know! It’s sooo cuuuute...”

“Calm your farm,” Willam said, pointing a fork at her.

“That’s so Aussie!” Alaska giggled, leaning over to press a quick kiss to Willam’s cheek. And to Courtney’s absolute delight, a pink flush crept into her face.

She turned to Bianca, lashes fluttering, wrapping her hands around her arm.

“Should we share clothes, too?”

“Oh yeah. I really want to wear your hipster Coachella shit,” Bianca said, gesturing to Courtney’s palazzo pants and crop top covered in pink pineapples.

“You’d look adorable as.”

“That’s so Aussie,” Willam cut in as she sucked on an ice cube.

“Come on, imagine how good your ass would look in these pants,” Courtney said.

“Yeah, no thanks.”

Courtney bumped her shoulder lightly, lips turning down in an exaggerated pout. “I’m serious!”

“Okay, well, you can borrow my sweater if you want?” Bianca finally offered.

“Perfect,” Courtney laughed. She laid a head on Bianca’s shoulder, shifting her gaze back towards Willam and Alaska, who were engaged in what they probably thought was a very sly game of footsie.

The best part was Willam’s face--the almost shy expression on her face every time Alaska touched her. In the more than two years that Courtney had known Willam, all she’d ever heard was talk about sex in the crudest possible terms--nothing whatsoever about romance. Now, seeing her sneaking peeks at Alaska from behind her menu, cheeks flushed, Courtney couldn’t help but watch her happily, a dreaming smile tugging at her lips.

After awhile, Willam finally caught on to being watched, looking up to catch Courtney’s eye.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I just...like seeing your soft squishy parts,” Courtney said.

Willam clutched her chest in mock offense. “Are you calling me fat, you dumb slut?”

“Yeah,” Courtney laughed, blowing a kiss across the table.

Willam scoffed, burying her face back into her menu, attention now completely focused on Alaska.

“Do you know what you want this time?” Bianca asked, kissing the top of her head.

“Yes, why?”

Bianca gestured to Michelle approaching the table, then spoke up. “Hi, I’ll have the French toast combo with scrambled eggs and fruit?”

“Sure thing.” She turned to Courtney.

“Can I get the kale salad with extra avocado?” Courtney asked. “And, uh…”

“You want fries, don’t you?” Bianca asked with a wry grin.

“For the table!” Courtney said, giving Bianca her best puppy eyes.

“Yeah, right,” Bianca laughed, then said to Michelle, “And an order of sweet potato fries.”

As they handed over their menus, it became clear that Alaska and Willam had no idea what was going on, still hidden behind their menus, giggling. Bianca cleared her throat loudly.

"Uh, if you two are done playing footsie, would you mind telling poor Michelle what you want to eat?"

Alaska’s head snapped up, eyes wide with surprise, a guilty expression as she locked eyes with Michelle, tapping a pen against her little notepad.  

"Sorry," Alaska said, blushing slightly and handing over her menu. “Huevos rancheros, please.”

“And for you?” Michelle asked Willam.

“Uhh...a garden salad and shrimp and grits. But no grits.”

“So...just shrimp?” Michelle asked slowly.

“Yes.” Willam said.

“Alllright. I’ll go grab your drinks.” Michelle turned and left, heading back inside.

“You know, the south would never allow that ‘no grits’ business,” said Bianca, disapproval all over her face.

Courtney smiled to herself, reminding her girlfriend that, “I feel like the south probably isn’t too keen on a lot of things we do.”

“Fair,” Bianca laughed, dimples deep in her cheeks.

When the drinks came, Willam immediately downed her mimosa as expected. Bianca, on the other hand, began to season her Bloody Mary with extreme concentration. First, she squeezed in the lemon, then added a healthy amount of pepper and quite a bit of hot sauce, tasting it carefully every time she added anything.

It wasn’t until Courtney covered her mouth to muffle her giggles that Bianca caught on that she was being watched.

“What?”

“Nothing. You’re just cute.”

Bianca narrowed her eyes, and for a second, Courtney thought that maybe she was annoyed. But then her dimples appeared as she replied, “You’re cute.”

Courtney climbed into her lap, loving the feeling of Bianca’s arms securely around her waist. She leaned forward and kissed her lightly. Their drinks now forgotten, Bianca kissed her back, lips moving to her neck and then slowly up her jawline. Courtney sighed happily, in no hurry to go back to her drink, perfectly content to just bask in the moment as Bianca nuzzled her cheek.

“Alright, this is getting embarrassing,” Bianca finally said, picking up her Bloody Mary, brown eyes sparkling.

Courtney grinned and kissed her neck one more time, taking a moment to inhale the sweet, fresh scent of her perfume before picking up her own drink, fingers pinching the stem of her glass delicately.

Bianca tapped Alaska on the wrist.

“You know, you’re a really good person,” she said.

“Oh?” Alaska cocked her head, bracing for the punchline.  

“I mean, adopting a stray.” Bianca gestured to Willam. “Most people would be worried about diseases and shit, but you...you’ve got a good soul. Bless your heart.”

Alaska crossed her arms, leaning forward with a challenging grin. “So if she’s a stray, what are you?”  

“Oh, I was raised by wolves,” Bianca admitted, and she and Alaska both cackled gleefully.

Courtney watched them, cheeks hurting now from the permanent smile on her face, turning her attention to Willam to beam at her once again.  

"Ugh." Willam met Courtney’s eyes, shaking her head. "I know that look."

"What look-" Courtney gasped.

"You're gonna give a speech or-"

"No!"

"-make a sappy little toast aren't you?"

Courtney scoffed before smiling mischievously. “Well…”

"Knew it."

Courtney stuck her tongue out at Willam, then said, “It’s not really a toast. I just wanted to say…” She grinned at Alaska, then back at Willam. “I'm really happy we got to spend this semester together. And next, too. I can't imagine finding better friends, or roommates, than you guys."

"Gross," Willam said, suppressing her smile as she took a sip of her mimosa.

"I think it was sweet, Court," Alaska said, not making the slightest attempt to hide her own dazzling smile as she looked right at Courtney, holding out her glass. "I'm glad we get to spend this year together, too."

Courtney reached across the table to clink glasses, then leaned back, snuggling into Bianca’s arms.

“Hey,” Bianca whispered softly into her ear, “What do you say we ditch the other whores and go make out in the car?”

Courtney burst into giggles, twisting around to press a kiss to Bianca’s lips.

“Well, if you guys are determined to be sappy bastards, then at least we should get a good pic,” Willam said with a resigned sigh.

“Yay!” Courtney clapped, jumping up and pulling Bianca into her own seat beside Willam, already striking a pose.

"For Instagram?" asked Alaska.

"Of course," Willam said. She held up her phone, Courtney and Bianca leaning into the frame, Courtney making her best supermodel faces, giving all kinds of angles.

"What's the tag gonna be?" Bianca asked, cracking up as she caught Courtney’s eye in the camera screen, kissing her cheek.

“CouplesGoals,” Willam announced, her smile deepening as everyone burst out laughing.

The final photo was a bit of a mess: Alaska’s head on Willam’s shoulder, her eyes half closed, mid-laugh; Willam with a smug smile, arm around Alaska, pulling her close; Courtney’s head thrown back in glee; Bianca’s grin in profile, face buried in Courtney’s neck.

It wasn’t the best photo, or best angle for any of them. But for once, Willam didn’t demand a retake. And a few weeks later, when Courtney framed it, she didn’t care about any of the imperfections: only that it captured a moment of pure joy with some of her favorite people.

#rpdr fanfiction #bitney #bianca del rio #courtney act #willam belli #alaska thunderfuck #willaska #adore delano #college au #lesbian au #friends to lovers #smut #fluff #mild angst #off limits #just friends #veronica #albatross

[artificialqueens]

Off Limits, Chapter 6 (Bitney) - Veronica/Albatross

A/N: Hey guys! This is the companion story to “No Strings Attached.” Both ships are in both stories, but generally, “No Strings Attached” is Willaska-focused and this one is Bitney-focused. (Link to all chapters in order.) Thanks as always to our lovely beta (and EVP of That’s So Aussie™️), @opalescent-cheetah

Chapter Summary: Let’s be honest, this chapter is just mostly porn.

***

Courtney was thrilled. Finally in Bianca’s arms, something she’d longed for since the first day they met--even if it had taken her awhile to admit it to herself. She flung herself into it with all of that pent-up longing, an urgent need to prove how certain she was that this wasn’t a mistake.

Her kisses were passionate, messy, almost frantic, making her way down Bianca’s body. When she began to slide Bianca’s bottoms off, a hand covered hers, stopping her.

“Whatcha doin’ down there?”

“I thought I would eat your pussy,” Courtney replied, doing her best to sound confident.

“Uh huh. And do you know how to do that?” Bianca asked, an amused smirk on her lips.

“Uhh…” Of course she didn’t, in spite of the several embarrassing google searches in her browser history, which ultimately ended up confusing her more than helping. But Bianca didn’t need to know that. “I’ve read some stuff. Figured I’d wing it.”

“I mean, I appreciate the thought, but, wouldn’t you like some instructions first?” Bianca cupped her face, tilting her chin up, tucking some hair behind her ear.

“I thought you like girls who know what they’re doing,” Courtney admitted, resisting the urge to press into Bianca’s hand like a cat.

“True. But...I can’t expect you to be psychic, can I? Why don’t I give you a live demo?” Her fingers drifted through Courtney’s hair, then scratched her scalp lightly, causing shivers to run through her.

It took less than half a second for Courtney to say, “Okay.”

Bianca grinned at her, moving aside to give her space on the narrow bed.

“Lie down.”

Courtney complied immediately, getting a tingling little thrill when Bianca’s grin deepened, heart pounding as she pressed a kiss to Courtney’s open mouth.

“Are you ready?” she murmured, hands sliding over Courtney’s body, making her skin prickle.

“Yes.”

“Take off your panties,” Bianca instructed.

Courtney raised her hips, saying, “You do it.”

Bianca’s head tilted at her, amused.

“I’m sorry, who’s running the show here?”

“Please,” Courtney pouted sweetly, fluttering her lashes.

“You’re a brat,” Bianca said, eyes sparkling with amusement as she hooked her fingers into the side of Courtney’s panties and slid them slowly down her legs. “And oh, look...telling the truth about being a natural blonde, huh?”

“Dead on.” With a victorious grin, Courtney spread her legs, giving Bianca space to settle between them. Her abdomen was tense with excitement as Bianca placed a soft, teasing kiss just below her belly button, then looked up with a smile. She locked eyes with Courtney, barely moving, one hand drifting slowly up and down her thigh.

“Go ahead,” Courtney urged.  

“What makes you think I haven’t already started?” Bianca asked. “See...you have to make sure she’s reallyready.”

She bent down slowly, placing an excruciatingly soft kiss just inside Courtney’s knee.

“I’m ready,” Courtney said, failing to keep the pitiful whine out of her voice.

Bianca didn’t answer, just smiled to herself and continued to trail featherlight kisses along her thighs.

“You want her to be dripping wet...quivering...a needy mess…” Bianca’s hot breath ghosted over her, and Courtney whimpered.

“I hope you know,” she gasped out, “this means I’m gonna be torturing you back.”

Bianca looked up, catching her eye with a mischievous glint.

“Counting on it.”

*

Bianca knew that she was being a bit of a sadistic bitch, but she couldn’t help it. Courtney was just so cute, with her cheeks flushed a bright pink, whimpering with need every time she so much as breathed against her.

“You can feel her with your fingers, to really see how wet she is,” Bianca said, letting the back of her knuckles graze her pussy; and Jesus Christ, wet was an understatement. Courtney squirmed against her hand, breath hitching. Bianca looked into her lust-darkened eyes, bringing her fingers up to her mouth to lick slowly.

“Taste her…”

Courtney inhaled sharply, watching Bianca in a trance as she licked her fingers clean. Her other hand still rested on her warm thigh, and she could feel the muscles tensing beneath her.

Finally satisfied that she was ready, Bianca bent down, hovering over her for a few moments until she could see her trembling.

“You wanna go in soft,” she said, before licking her slowly, tongue flat against her.

Courtney arched up, clutching Bianca’s sheets in her fist.

“Every girl is different,” Bianca explained, nuzzling against her. “And usually, you’re gonna get very little in the way of direct instructions. So...you have to try different things. See what works.”

Bianca swirled her tongue around, trying to watch Courtney’s reaction through her fringe of dark lashes. And then, when she began to flick her tongue, Courtney’s hips began to roll, a hand tangling into her hair and pressing down on the back of her head.

Pausing to reach behind her own head and tap Courtney’s hand, Bianca looked up at her with a smirk.

“If she’s pushing on the back of your head, she’s probably trying to tell you to go harder.”

“Yeah,” Courtney affirmed, nodding frantically. “Harder…”

“So, you can listen. Or, you can tease her a little more...back off and go even softer.”

The aggrieved whimper that came out of Courtney’s mouth next, accompanied by vigorous thrusting of her hips, was almost enough to make Bianca laugh. If she’d had to guess ahead of time, she’d have pegged Courtney as someone who wanted everything gentle and soft. Beautiful to look at, but pure vanilla--possibly even boring, in the way that pretty girls so often are. The rabid maniac trying to fuck her face was an enchanting surprise.

“Teasing is especially fun when she’s a bit of a freak,” Bianca told her with a light cackle.

“I-” Whatever Courtney’s response was going to be, it was cut off with a broken moan, body in overdrive as she fell apart, gasping for air.

“Are you gonna remember this?” Bianca asked, “Because it’s all gonna be on the test. You should really be taking notes…”

“Oh God, Bianca, please…” she managed to choke out.

*

“Okay,” Bianca said, voice low and sexy, causing Courtney to shiver. “Pay attention, because this part is important..”

Courtney was neither a virgin nor a prude. She was fairly certain that she knew her own body. But the rapturous pleasure that ripped through her when Bianca began to suck on her clit was a new feeling entirely.

She twisted Bianca’s hair in her fists, moaning her name, grinding against her tongue as wave after wave of ecstasy hit her, until she finally collapsed in a sweaty heap. It felt like her bones were made of spaghetti--as weak as a rag doll, unable to even lift her head. She barely noticed Bianca sucking soft kisses into her skin, up her torso, until they were once again face to face, Bianca hovering over her with a satisfied smirk on her face.

“So...you like to fuck, huh?”

In spite of her exhaustion, Courtney chuckled drily.

“I’ve been trying to tell you…” she mumbled, and Bianca laughed, continuing to kiss her.

“Sorry to keep you waiting so long,” Bianca said. Her hands slid into Courtney’s hair, cradling the back of her head, lips trailing over her jaw.  

“I forgive you,” Courtney sighed, enjoying the tender affection. It was so gentle, and sweet, and made Courtney feel precious, warmth spreading through her to her toes. She reached a hand up to touch Bianca’s cheek.

As they kissed again, a giggle slipped from Courtney’s lips.

“What?” Bianca asked, nuzzling against her.

“You’re just...a little different than I expected,” Courtney admitted.

“Oh yeah? How so?”

“Well…” Courtney bit her lip, looking into Bianca’s dark eyes. “I just didn’t think you’d be so...I dunno. Sweet.”

“Disappointed?” Bianca whispered.

“No. I like you like this…”

“Well, don’t tell anyone,” Bianca warned. “You’ll ruin my reputation.”

“Okay,” Courtney said, fingers circling her left dimple. “I’ll just say you fucked me and then pushed me off the bed.”

Bianca laughed. “So, you’ve watched my sex tape?”

“Mmmhm,” Courtney giggled, feeling that familiar pride she always got when she made Bianca laugh.

As Bianca’s hot mouth found her neck, Courtney felt a tightness returning to her belly. She arched up, and Bianca chuckled slightly, bearing down against her.

“B…” Courtney whimpered, “It’s supposed to be your turn now.”

“I was trying to give you a few minutes to recover,” Bianca said, a wicked glint in her eye, hips rolling. “But I guess I can’t help myself.”  

Courtney’s breath came faster as her nails raked down Bianca’s back, gliding over her sweat-dampened skin. Feeling Bianca’s naked breasts against her own only made her long for more. She slipped her fingers under Bianca’s waistband, pushing her panties down impatiently.

“Can I help you with something?” Bianca raised her hips slightly to let Courtney push her panties down farther, until they got caught around her thighs.

“Please, B, please…”

“Yes, baby? Tell me what you want.”

“I want to feel you against me,” Courtney said, a desperate edge in her voice as she dug her fingers into Bianca’s ass, thighs spreading even more.

Bianca complied, pulling her panties off the rest of the way and then grinding down against Courtney’s welcoming body, making her gasp with pleasure. Courtney captured Bianca’s mouth in a kiss, nothing between them now but slick wetness as Bianca rubbed against her.

“Oh, fuck…”

*

Bianca raised herself up on her elbows, unable to resist watching Courtney’s beautiful face as she fell apart, cheeks flushed red, lips swollen, hips arching again and again. She reached down to butterfly her pussy open, grinding harder against her exposed, swollen clit. Courtney clung to Bianca for dear life as fingers sought out her heat, finding her dripping wet.

The way she moaned shamelessly made Bianca want to fuck her absolutely senseless.

“Hey…” she murmured into Courtney’s ear, not missing the telltale shiver. “I got another idea…”

Courtney turned towards her, lips chasing hers, soft sighs of pleasure turning to an indignant whine as Bianca rolled away, slipping off the bed.

“Patience, babydoll...” Bianca said, ducking under the bed to pull out a plastic box with the vague label of “SUPPLIES.” She pulled off the lid and pawed through the box, finding the dildo she was looking for, a very nice little beginner one in light pink, and placing it on the bed with a wicked smirk. “How do you feel about a strap-on?”

Courtney bit her lip, rolling over onto her side, thighs pressed together.

“I mean, I’ve never worn one before, but I’m willing to try…” she said, eyes fluttering.

“Very funny,” Bianca told her, watching her giggle and reach forward to touch the toy.

“It doesn’t really look like a dick,” she declared, running her fingers down the smooth length of it.

“Well...I’m not trying to trick you,” Bianca said, then paused before adding, “You can say no if you don’t want to-”

“I don’t wanna say no,” Courtney said, tilting her head, eyes still a bit glazed. “Let’s do it.”

Bianca grinned, dimples deep in her cheeks as she slipped on the harness and pushed the dildo through the ring, climbing back onto the bed. She handed Courtney a bottle of lube, then leaned back on her elbows, waiting.

“Do you want me to…”

“What do you want to do?” Bianca challenged, and Courtney lunged towards her, pulling her into a kiss.

She coated the toy generously with lube, a messy endeavor that was made even messier from her hurried enthusiasm. As she kneeled over Bianca, guiding the dildo towards her, Bianca started to tell her to take it slow, but she was too late, Courtney sitting down firmly against her with a gasp.

“Are you okay?” Bianca asked, tracing light patterns up her thighs, waiting for her to adjust.

Courtney nodded, leaning forward, starting to rock slowly. Getting to act out a literal fantasy was new for Bianca, and it took her brain a minute to catch up to what was happening, this golden-haired goddess riding her the way she’d dreamed of. Bianca groaned, mesmerized by her tits. She reached up to toy with them, and as her fingers brushed over the dark pink of her hardened nipples, Courtney let out a broken moan.

All Bianca wanted was to hear that sound again, and so she kept at it, pinching and rolling her nipples between her fingers, finally lifting her head to take one into her mouth, sucking gently at first and then harder, teeth nibbling at her, doing anything she could to chase the beautiful sound of Courtney coming apart.

*

“Oh, god…” Courtney’s thighs squeezed Bianca’s hips as she thrust forward frantically, unable to get enough of her. She thought she’d wanted her before, but nothing she’d imagined could compare to the real thing, the heat of her smooth, soft skin, the feel of her luscious curves, the way her hands felt on Courtney’s trembling body. Best of all, the look in her dark eyes as she gazed up at Courtney with pure, open desire, taking one of Courtney’s tits into her mouth, tingles shooting straight to her core as a tongue circled her nipple.

Courtney was so wrapped up in the moment that the sudden buzzing of the vibrator caught her completely off guard, lighting her up from within, making her cry out. Fingers dug into Bianca’s shoulders as she gasped for breath.

“Do you like that?”

The question barely registered in Courtney’s addled mind, but she answered on auto, nodding vigorously, the rolling waves of vibration washing over her. She whimpered pitifully as Bianca took control, pushing her onto her back, capturing her mouth in a kiss as she began to drive her hips forward faster and faster. Her controlled rhythm kept Courtney torturously on the edge, clawing at her back.

When Bianca turned the vibrator up, Courtney nearly blacked out, writhing beneath her, coming hard, and then again before she could catch a single breath, her entire body like a live wire as Bianca kept pumping her hips, slower now, teeth buried in the tender skin of her neck as she moaned, eyes rolled back.

Her mind was completely empty of everything but white-hot pleasure, lungs burning with a lack of oxygen, every thrust pushing her deeper and deeper into blissful agony, until she collapsed in exhaustion.

When Courtney’s eyes fluttered open, to the feeling of Bianca pressing soft kisses all over her face, she was drenched in sweat and still gasping for air. It could have been a minute later, or 10, or 10 years--she had no idea.

She wrapped her arms tighter around Bianca’s waist, holding her close.

“Wow.”

Bianca giggled softly, an adorably girlish sound, nuzzling into her cheek, and Courtney sighed against her, realizing that she still hadn’t reciprocated. This was turning into an upsettingly one-sided arrangement. Of course, there was the chance that the vibrator had made up for Courtney’s own lack of follow-through.

“Did you come?” Courtney asked hopefully, twirling a lock of Bianca’s hair around her finger.

“I did,” Bianca assured her. “You?”

“So many times.” Courtney let out a giddy laugh.

“Oh yeah? How many?”

“I lost count,” she admitted, head dropping backwards with a sleepy sigh.

For a few moments, they just breathed in the silence, bodies pressed together in a tangled heap, so sated that they soon drifted off to a contented sleep.

***

When Bianca’s eyes opened again, the evening sky had grown dark and Courtney was snuggled tight against her, tracing around her nipples so lightly, it made her shudder. She turned to Courtney with a dimpled grin.

“Hi,” Courtney said, eyes sparkling at her.

“Hey…How are you feeling?”

“Perfect...amazing…” Courtney stretched, making Bianca shift to give her more room. She flung a leg over Bianca’s, mouth turned up into a smirk. “So...are you glad I debated you into fucking me?”

“First time I enjoyed losing an argument…”

Courtney giggled, pushing Bianca onto her back and slipping a leg in between hers, lips seeking out Bianca’s for a deep, messy kiss. Bianca buried her hands into Courtney’s hair, enjoying the feel of a firm thigh against her. It was no longer rushed and desperate the way it had been earlier.  

It took Bianca a few minutes to catch on to what she was doing: lips brushing down her jaw to her neck, tongue over her collarbone, then circling her nipples. Slowly heading lower and lower.

“Court...what are you-”

“Fulfilling a promise…” Her breath was hot against Bianca’s abdomen, making her insides twist. She looked up at Bianca, batting her eyes innocently, bottom lip still brushing against her skin. “Is this okay?”

Bianca gulped. She was used to being in control, but could feel herself slipping, breath hitching as Courtney nibbled softly against her. When she didn’t immediately answer, Courtney crawled back up to capture her bottom lip in a heated kiss, teeth tugging it just enough that Bianca’s fingers dug into her waist. The way she hovered over Bianca’s body on her hands and knees, tits rubbing against Bianca’s own, made her shiver.

“I’m supposed to check, right?” Courtney asked, fingers skating up Bianca’s inner thigh to seek out her warm, wet pussy.

Bianca inhaled sharply, watching through heavy-lidded eyes as Courtney brought her slick fingers to her mouth, sucking hungrily at them, the satisfied noise she made so filthy that it made Bianca’s heart pound.

“Should I keep going?” Courtney asked, and Bianca nodded, allowing herself to relax backwards, enjoy the way she explored her body with a combination of tender affection and sordid greediness.

Her fingers curled back into Courtney’s hair as her head dipped lower and lower, eyes finally falling closed to concentrate on the heat of her tongue, when a bang on the door caused her to jump clean out of her skin.

“Bianca! Tell whatever slut you’ve got in there to cover up, we’re coming in!”

“Fuck me dead!” Courtney shrieked as the door flew open, snatching up a pillow to use as an ineffective privacy shield.

Willam stood in the doorway with her mouth open, just staring at them in absolute shock.

“That’s so Aussie,” giggled Alaska’s voice from behind her. “...Isn’t it?”

Willam turned around to ask incredulously, “Did you know it was Courtney she was fucking in there?”

“Yeah. Sorry. She’s loud.”  

“Huh…Not with guys,” Willam said.

Bianca was just getting over her shock of being interrupted in such a vulnerable state, her initial terror turning to indignant anger.  

“Excuse me!” she exclaimed, sitting up. “Is there a fucking reason for this invasion?!”

“Yes, asshole. Alaska’s been sexiled out here for hours and she needs to get her stuff,” Willam replied, hand on her hip.

“Shit.” Bianca glanced outside. The darkness had registered, but not the fact that they’d been keeping Alaska in purgatory. She would have felt a little bad...if she didn’t feel so fucking good.

“Omigod, Alaska, I’m so sorry!” Courtney cried guiltily. “I didn’t realize what time it was-”

“Clearly,” Willam said. “Get whatever you need, Lask. You can have Courtney’s bed tonight.” She turned back to Courtney, shaking her head with a scowl that just barely covered how amused she was. “I assume that’s okay with you, you fuckin’ whore?”

“Yes, of course!” Courtney said.

Bianca reached down for her blankets, which were piled down at the foot of the bed, pulling them up over their naked bodies to finally cover them both properly while Alaska retrieved her things.

“I guess she figured out what the tights meant,” she murmured into Courtney’s ear, earning a delighted laugh. Bianca pressed a kiss to her cheek, then unable to resist, nibbled softly down her jaw, almost immediately forgetting about their unwelcome company, whispering again into her skin, “God, you’re fucking delicious…”

Courtney’s cheeks were a lovely pink as she lowered the blanket slightly to say goodnight to the other girls.

“One word of advice, Bianca,” Willam said, holding the door open as Alaska scampered out. “...be careful.”

Bianca turned to her, glowering at her with a look that told Willam she better quickly shut the fucking door, but Willam continued.

“You know that thing about koalas and chlamydia...she could be patient zero…” she added.

Bianca leaned over and picked up one of Courtney’s sneakers from the ground beside the bed, hurling it towards Willam’s head with full force. She ducked, laughing, as it hit the door.

“Hey, I’m just looking out for your health!”

“Go!” Bianca yelled, blood pressure rising as Willam stuck out her tongue and finally shut the door behind her. She gave herself a few moments to shake off her irritation before turning back to Courtney with a smile. “Hey…”

“Hi.” Courtney bit her lip, suddenly bashful, and Bianca cupped her cheek gently.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah! I’m glad they know, actually,” Courtney said. “But…”

“But what?” Bianca felt a slight dread creep into the edges of her thoughts.

“But I kind of...have to pee.”

“Oh, yeah. Me too, actually,” Bianca chuckled, tossing the covers off. “And we should probably eat some dinner.”

“You’re still hungry?” Courtney asked, eyes flashing with a naughty glint.

Bianca laughed, utterly charmed. As she slid down from the bed, she caught Courtney’s gaze once again, dimples deep in her cheeks.

***

In the morning, once Bianca left for work, Courtney wandered back into her own room and flopped onto her unmade bed in a starry-eyed daze.

“Well well well. Look who’s joining us. The newest baby dyke,” Willam proclaimed, looking up from doing Alaska’s makeup.

“Will,” Alaska scolded, but Courtney just giggled, hugging a pillow to her chest.

She hadn’t gotten much sleep last night; neither of them did. And it was painful when Bianca finally slipped out of bed this morning to shower and get ready for work. Although Courtney had to admit, there was something sexy about watching her get ready--the almost choreographed routine of her hair and makeup, clad in a silky robe that kept slipping off her tanned shoulder, so enticing that Courtney eventually had to crawl to the edge of the bed to press a soft kiss against her. And then, when she began to get dressed, she allowed Courtney to dictate what she wore, down to the undergarments. She’d been amused when Courtney insisted on the set of forest green lingerie she’d bought that first week, the ones that had been at the center of Courtney’s most reckless fantasies.

“You like these?” Bianca had teased, dangling the panties between her fingers, laughing at the desperate edge in Courtney’s voice when she’d answered with a whispered ‘yes.’

Courtney curled around her pillow, counting the hours in her head until she would see Bianca again. She had an evening class after work, which meant that by the time she got home, Courtney would be stuck in her Cabaret rehearsal. It would be close to 11 pm before they’d be in the same room. Endless.

Willam looked up again, shaking her head and saying, “Surprised you can still walk after last night.”

“And this morning,” Courtney couldn’t help saying, with a cheeky grin. She nearly shivered with the memory of Bianca’s fingers working her into ecstasy while she was still in a sleepy, blissful haze, and then the intoxicating scent of her perfume right before she left, that glimpse she gave Courtney of the lingerie lingering in her mind, giving her something to obsess over all day.

Willam made a disgusted face, then began to fuss with Alaska’s hair.

“So...Ms. Del Rio took good care of you?” Alaska asked kindly, one eyebrow raised.

“Yeah, I’ll say…” Courtney smiled dreamily. “Did you know that you could come more than once, like in a row?”

“Everyone knows that, Courtney,” Willam said with an eye roll.

“No, I know, like in theory, but did you know actually?” Courtney sat up, eyes wide.

“Omigod,” Willam groaned. “She’s already fucked half your brain cells out.”

Alaska stifled a laugh, saying, “I’m real happy for you, Court.”

“Thank you. She just so…” Courtney searched for words, but came up empty. Shit, maybe Willam was right about her brain cells. She took a deep breath, noticing Alaska’s outfit for the first time. It was something she’d never worn before, and she looked adorable. “Alaska, I love that outfit! How come I’ve never seen it before?”

“It’s Willam’s.”

“Yeah, she had to borrow clothes since someone was getting railed in her bedroom this morning,” Willam said.

“Oh.” Courtney fell backwards, collapsing on the bed in blissful giggles. “Oops.”  

***

One thing that Bianca enjoyed about being the oldest one in their little group was that the others often assumed she was wise and experienced, even when she wasn’t. She liked the respect that came along with them believing that she knew things, and didn’t do much to dissuade their (sometimes incorrect) assumptions.

The truth was, though, as much experience as Bianca had with girls, she had never technically been in a “relationship.” She’d had plenty of one-night stands, but there wasn’t ever anyone that she felt justified calling a girlfriend.

Even though Courtney had blithely brushed aside her concerns about hooking up with a roommate, it didn’t totally negate them. She knew that, as close as they were and as much time as they spent together, there wasn’t going to be anything casual about their relationship. Even now, when it had been less than a day.

Her suspicions were confirmed when she got home that night to find a note on her pillow.

Had to go to rehearsal, but there’s a surprise for you in the fridge. XO, C

The surprise turned out to be homemade banana pudding, which was shocking to Bianca for two reasons. One, because in the months that she’d known Courtney, what she’d witnessed of her “cooking” was mostly just blending up smoothies or making kale chips, and very occasionally cooking some vegetables in a pan to dump over rice. To see what looked like a made-from-scratch dessert...even if it was terrible, the effort was overwhelmingly apparent. And two, banana pudding was Bianca’s favorite food, but she couldn’t for the life of her remembering ever telling that to Courtney.

She wanted to wait and maybe eat it together, but after about an hour, her resolve broke down, and she was in for a third surprise. It was good.

“How’s it taste?” Alaska asked, leaning on the doorframe.

“Oh, uh...it’s...it’s great, actually.”

“That was her third try,” her roommate confided, an amused smile playing on her lips. “She really likes you.”

“Well…” Bianca swallowed uncomfortably. “I really like her, too.”

But was it too much, too fast? Bianca couldn’t focus on her homework, mind too busy with racing, anxious thoughts. She tried to distract herself, sitting with Alaska (and then Willam, once she got home) and watching an idiotic reality show that they loved, all about children’s competitive cheerleading.

Courtney got back to the apartment around ten, immediately flying into the living room and climbing directly into Bianca’s lap, kissing her deeply, clearly unconcerned about their potential audience.

“Hey there,” Bianca murmured, when they finally came up for air. “How was your day?”

“It was the longest day of my life,” Courtney breathed, nuzzling into her neck. “I’m so glad to be home.”

In some ways, this was Bianca’s worst nightmare. So many feelings. Soft, gooey feelings, exposed and raw. But on the other hand, she did feel awfully warm in Bianca’s arms, and she smelled like heaven, and maybe feelings weren’t the worst thing in the world…

“Did you try the pudding?” Courtney asked. “Was it okay?”

“It was perfect.”

“Good.” Courtney twirled a lock of hair, lashes fluttering, and whispered, “Show me the bra…”

“There are other people in the room, you know,” Bianca murmured back, feeling her cheeks heat up.  

“So? Come on, just a peek.” Courtney tugged at her top button.

“Ugh...”

Courtney looked up, amused at Willam’s interruption. “What, Bill? You got an opinion to share?”

“Yeah. You’re being gross,” Willam said. “And you’ve never acted this way with a guy.”  

“Bianca’s better than a guy,” said Courtney.

Bianca looked up at Willam and offered a little shrug. “My dick vibrates.”

Alaska burst out laughing, looking up from her laptop. “Hard to argue with that logic, eh Will?”

“Whatever,” Willam said, rolling her eyes.

Courtney’s attention was back on Bianca, fingering her button, and Bianca gave a little nod of consent, letting her open it, a sharp inhale immediately following. It was, quite frankly, thrilling to see her so turned on just from a glimpse down her top. And then her head snapped up, almost like getting startled out of a dream, saying, “Alaska…?”

“Yes, Courtney?”

“Do you want to...borrow my bed again?”

“I already put my stuff in your room,” Alaska informed her.

“Oh, okay...beaut.” Courtney slid from Bianca’s lap and sauntered into her bedroom, Bianca quickly scrambling behind.

“Goodnight, guys!” Bianca tossed out.

Courtney gave a little wave to her other roommates before shutting the door firmly, cutting off the sound of their amused laughter. Then she turned and flashed the naughtiest, most wicked grin Bianca had ever seen.

“Lay down.”

#rpdr fanfiction #bitney #bianca del rio #courtney act #willam belli #alaska thunderfuck #willaska #college au #lesbian au #friends to lovers #fluff #smut #off limits #just friends #veronica #albatross

[artificialqueens]

Off Limits, Chapter 5 (Bitney) - Veronica, Albatross

A/N: Hey guys! This is the companion story to “No Strings Attached.” Both ships are in both stories, but generally, “No Strings Attached” is Willaska-focused and this one is Bitney-focused. (Link to all chapters in order.)

Chapter Summary: Courtney obsesses about the previous night, and finally demands some real answers from Bianca. (With a brief cameo from Shea as the Lesbian Whisperer.)

Thanks as always to our lovely beta and Executive Vice President of That’s So Aussie™️, @opalescent-cheetah. (Yes, that’s a promotion.)

***

Courtney stirred, rolling into the scent of Bianca’s shampoo on the pillow, eyes fluttering open. She blinked, slightly confused, before realizing that she was in the bed alone. Sitting up on her elbows, she saw Bianca at her desk, hunched over a textbook with a highlighter, black-framed glasses on her face, reddish-brown hair pulled into a messy bun. Courtney smiled slightly; as beautiful as she found Bianca when she was dolled up and looking like a million bucks, there was always something sweet and comforting about seeing her like that.

“Hi,” Courtney said, biting her lip.

“Hey.” Bianca barely glanced her way, turning a page in her textbook.

“Did you sleep okay?”

“Yup.”

Courtney cleared her throat, suddenly self-conscious, becoming more and more aware of the fact that Bianca clearly didn’t want to talk. She thought, the night before, that they’d finally made some progress. That they were finally a small step closer to becoming...whatever they were supposed to.

But now, in the harsh light of day, she wasn’t so sure. After a few more moments of awkward silence, Courtney got the hint, swinging her legs off the side of the bed and gathering up her dress, shoes, and bag.

“Um...I’ll wash your T-shirt and get it back to you-”

“Thanks.”

Courtney let out a little sigh and exited, crossing through the living room, startled by Alaska’s voice saying, “Morning,” from the sofa.

“Lasky!” Courtney exclaimed, surprised. “Did you sleep here?”

“Yeah,” came the quiet, drawn-out reply. “I didn’t want to intrude on whatever...you guys had going on.”

Eyes widening in sympathy and guilt, Courtney rushed over to the couch to apologize.

“Oh no, I’m so sorry!” she cried, flinging herself onto the couch.

“It’s okay,” Alaska assured her with a remarkably sincere smile before inquiring, “How’d you sleep? It’s so hard to imagine Bianca being all cuddly.”

Feeling her cheeks beginning to grow warm, Courtney glanced away with a soft smile as she mentioned vaguely, “She was alright.” Then thinking better of it, added in a rushed, “Nothing happened, by the way.”

“Uh huh. That’s what she said,” Alaska said with an indulgent nod, then admitted slyly, “I didn’t really believe her, though.”

Cocking her head to the side, Courtney asked, “Do you believe me? Because nothing…” she forced herself to repeat, trying not to sound bitter, “nothing happened.”

It wasn’t just the “nothing happening” that made Courtney feel frustrated. It was also how easily she’d chickened out and let Bianca off the hook the second she’d realized that she wasn’t angry. She was so relieved that things were okay between them that she’d stopped pressing her for any real answers. And this morning, it seemed like her window for any kind of honesty had slammed shut. Bianca’s walls were up once again, and maybe they always would be.

“It honestly doesn’t matter what I believe,” Alaska informed her, tucking a stray bit of hair behind her ear. She plastered on a reassuring smile as she stressed, “As long as you’re good.”

“I’m good,” Courtney affirmed just a little too loudly and quickly. “I just feel so bad that you had to crash out here. You could have had your bed. Or my bed!”

“It’s fine,” Alaska laughed. “Besides, there’s never any way of telling what kind of creature Willam’s gonna bring home from the club.”

Giggling away at the light jab, Courtney agreed, “That’s true…” Still, her guilt persisted despite the attempt at deflection and she had to backtrack, “Anyway...I’m sorry.”

A hint of sadness tinged Alaska’s voice as she shook her head and admitted with a rueful grin, “It’s really fine, I promise. Sleeping on the couch is not the worst thing that happened to me last night. Not by a longshot.”

The statement caught Courtney’s attention immediately but before she even had the presence of mind to question her further, the sound of her and Willam’s bedroom door being opened pulled her focus away from Alaska. In an undeniable state of anger, Willam marched straight from the bedroom towards the bathroom, all but slamming that door shut to boot.

As if to confirm Courtney’s growing suspicions of a falling out, Alaska immediately brought a hand to her head and let her shoulders sink in defeat. Clearly something unpleasant had happened at the club.

Placing a consoling hand to her roommate’s shoulder, Courtney carefully inquired, “Are you okay?” When no response came, her voice dipped even softer as she asked, “Did something happen? Do you need to talk-”

Straightening her slumped shoulders and slapping on a shaky smile, Alaska attempted to ease her concerns. “No no, don’t worry. I’m just being dramatic.”

Though far from convinced, Courtney knew it’d be best not to press the conversation any further. Nodding her head, she gave an agreeable, “Okay,” and let the topic drop. Before she left Alaska alone however, she pulled her in for a tight, comforting squeeze and assured her, “I’m here if you change your mind.”

She received a grateful nod of the head, but other than that, Alaska gave no indication she would take Courtney up on the offer. Not that Courtney blamed her. She doubted if she could even bring herself to fully discuss the mess she had gotten herself into with Bianca. So leaving the situation as it was, Courtney slipped into her bedroom to curl up and try to forget what a mess she’d made of things. Which turned out to be far easier said than done.

***

Courtney couldn’t focus during rehearsal. All she could think about was Bianca, and their stupid, confusing game of hot and cold. Even though it seemed like they made up, her icy demeanor this morning made Courtney unsettled. And worse, every time Courtney closed her eyes, she saw that look on her face in the bathroom. That intense, angry glare.

She’d seen Bianca angry before, but it had never been directed at her, and remembering it made her feel as weak and insecure as it had last night.

And then on the other hand, there was Adore. Being with her had been such a relief. No games, no guessing, just a beautiful and charming girl who wanted her and wasn’t afraid to show it. And in her arms, at least in the beginning before Bianca ruined everything, Courtney felt so good. So why was that one look, those few angry words, enough to stop all of Courtney’s fun? Prevent her from enjoying a casual hook-up with a compliant, enthusiastic, sexy stranger.

She couldn’t help wondering if Bianca would have done the same thing had Adore been a man. Not that there’d been much likelihood of that happening. At least, not last night. But was Adore right? Was she just jealous? It certainly seemed like that was part of the story.

So, she stumbled through ‘Wilkommen,’ mind spinning, and then completely blanked on the choreography during ‘Don’t Tell Mama.’

During the break, she slumped against the wall, sighing, trying her best to breathe deeply and get her shit together, when a hand on her shoulder made her look up.

It was Shea, a senior who was playing the Emcee, who had clearly noticed her fuck-ups, because she had a concerned look on her face as she asked, “Rough day, huh?”

“Um, yeah,” Courtney admitted. “Soz.”

“Don’t apologize. We all have our shit. Wanna talk about it?” Shea asked.

“Well...it’s complicated. I’m kind of having an issue with this...girl I like,” Courtney said, surprised at how easily the words rolled off her tongue.

“My specialty,” Shea told her, grinning wryly. “Go on…”

Courtney bit her lip. It could be good to unburden herself. It had certainly felt good to confess her feelings to Adore last night. So she took a deep breath, the whole story tumbling out quickly.

“She’s my roommate. And like, things have always been a bit...confusing. She flirts with me constantly, but it’s always in a way where it seems like she’s half kidding. And for awhile, that was fun, but lately it’s like she’s been pulling away, which is just-” Courtney sighed, trying to hold back tears as she continued. “She keeps finding ways to basically tell me that she doesn’t want anything more than friendship. So, fine, I got the hint. But then yesterday...”

Courtney trailed off. Somehow recounting the story made her even more unsure. Was she really seeing any of this clearly?

“Yeah?” Shea prodded.

“Well...we were at Sierra’s, and I met this girl, and I really liked her, and it was just...easy, you know?”

“An easy girl at Sierra’s? Sounds like a perfect night to me,” Shea said with a chuckle.

“Yeah, well, it would have been. But then Bianca like, interrupted us, because according to her, she was concerned that I was too drunk. I don’t know, she really got into my head, and we fought, and then I couldn’t enjoy it anymore. So I ended up leaving the club and we made up. I think? I fell asleep in her bed, and it was...I don’t know, it felt almost like we’d had some kind of a breakthrough. But now today she’s being weird again. I don’t know what to do.”

“Have you...okay, keep in mind that this might be a radical suggestion,” Shea said, “But have you considered talking to her? Maybe telling her how you feel?”

“I’ve tried!” Courtney exclaimed. “I’ve tried so many times. Or...I don’t know, it feels like I’ve tried.”

“Have you tried...while you’re wearing that?” Shea asked, eyes looking down pointedly at Courtney’s rehearsal clothes, a skimpy spaghetti-strap tank top and pair of tiny shorts. When she met Courtney’s eyes again, there was a wicked smirk on her face.

Courtney laughed, some of the tension finally leaving her shoulders.

“I’m not kidding,” Shea insisted.

“I appreciate your support,” Courtney giggled.

“Look. Go home, don’t change-”

At that, Courtney laughed again.

“And tell her how you fuckin’ feel,” Shea finished. “Open the door, invite her in...so to speak. If nothing else, then at least you’ll know that you were honest.”

“Well...you’re not actually the first one to give me that advice.” Courtney recalled Adore last night, telling her practically the same thing.

“There you go. Time to listen. Also...try to relax and forget about this shit while you’re here.” Shea slung an arm around her shoulder, continuing bluntly, “Or you’re gonna keep forgetting the choreo and Jonathan’s gonna replace your ass.”

Later, as Courtney walked home, she found herself getting more and more convinced that this was all just a giant misunderstanding. There had been so many signs. So many moments when Courtney was certain that Bianca liked her. And she became more and more determined to finally crack through Bianca’s walls.

How to do it was another question entirely. But she supposed that listening to Shea and keeping the short shorts on wouldn’t hurt.

***

Bianca knew that she’d brought this situation upon herself. She knew from the beginning, really, that she was in dangerous territory. But she’d blithely ignored the signs, the red flags, everything telling her that she needed to reign it in--and now, of course, everything was a mess.

Part of her was a bit resentful. Why should she have to deprive herself of some healthy fun? It wasn’t her fault that her straight (okay, bicurious, if she was honest) roommate found her so goddamn irresistible. She hadn’t done anything wrong--just some playful flirting, which she’d been clear from the beginning wasn’t meant to be taken seriously. She’d actually gone out of her way to overstate the boundaries.

But the smarter part...the more realistic part, knew that she was slightly full of shit. Knew that she’d done nothing, really, to stop the runaway train. And worse, that she’d allowed the situation at Sierra’s to get the better of her; her reaction to Courtney and Adore was entirely inappropriate and totally unjustified. She’d managed to squirm out of the conversation last night, probably due mostly to Courtney’s convenient intoxication. And this morning, too, managed to avoid any direct, uncomfortable questions. But Courtney wasn’t dumb, or a pushover, and she knew those questions would come sooner or later.

Bianca hated uncertainty. And right now, everything felt uncertain, which was both aggravating and deeply unsettling. The only good thing today had going for it was that by noon, everyone had left, and she had the place to herself.

Taking a long, relaxing bath when you share a bathroom with 3 other girls is a rare luxury. Unfortunately, in spite of the privacy and severely depleting her Lush supply, Bianca felt no better after her extended soak. She tried another tactic as the tub drained: vigorous exfoliation in the shower, scrubbing her body from head to toe until her skin felt raw. Unsurprisingly, that didn’t help either. Whatever was bothering her was clearly more than skin deep.

She emerged from the steamy bathroom still anxious, still defeated. And so, finally resigned, she slunk back to her bedroom and pulled out a book that her Global Communications professor had recommended, settling onto her bed and hoping to at least get something productive done today.

The soft knock on her door a little while later made her stomach drop. Shit.

“Come in,” she said, resigned to the fact that this was happening, folding down the page she was on and sliding her book onto the dresser.

Courtney pushed open the door, hesitating slightly. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, like she’d been hurrying in the chilly autumn air, and she was dressed in distractingly skimpy rehearsal clothes.  

“Are you busy? I wanted to talk.”

“Nope.” Bianca tried to sound nonchalant, crossing her legs and tilting her head innocently. “What’s on your mind, dollface?”

Courtney strode forward and sat on the bed.

“Last night.”

“Yes?”

“Well. You said that you were worried that I’d drank too much. Right?”

“Yeah, I thought that you were-”

“But then why were you so mad?” Courtney’s direct, unwavering gaze made Bianca slightly uncomfortable.

“Well…”

“Because you weren’t acting concerned. You weren’t acting like you were worried about a friend’s safety. You were acting angry.” Courtney didn’t wait for her to respond before adding pointedly. “Some might even say jealous.”

She folded her arms, waiting for Bianca’s answer.

Bianca said nothing, instead choosing to stare at her with an expression just shy of a glare. In a way, she’d been prepared for this line of questioning. After all, she’d been there. She knew what happened. But she wasn’t prepared for the questions to come this fast, be this direct.

This was a whole new side of Courtney. No longer the soft, agreeable little doll that she’d become accustomed to. The girl staring at her was unapologetic, prepared to take no shit. It made Bianca panic; and when Bianca panicked-

“We're done with this,” Bianca declared stonily, reaching for her book.

Courtney stopped her, actually jumped up and snatched the book out of her reach.

“No, we're not!”

“Courtney,” Bianca said warningly. She expected that and a fierce glare to be enough for Courtney to back off, yet to her mild surprise Courtney merely shook her head.

“We need to talk about this. I deserve an answer.”

“There's nothing to fucking talk about!” Bianca shouted in spite of trying to keep her voice steady and emotionless. “I already told you why and if you don't want to believe me, that’s on you. Now give me my book.”

She held her hand out expectantly, determined not to give up without a fight.

Exasperated, Courtney tossed the book aside and cried out, “Why do you keep pretending that it didn't happen?”

“What didn't happen?” came Bianca’s mocking reply.

“That you got jealous!” Courtney snapped back, then paused, taking a breath before admitting, “And I get it, okay? I was too, after I saw you flirting with that ranga.”

“What’s a ranga? Is that so Aussie?” Bianca asked with a devious grin.

“Don’t try to be cute. The redhead you were talking to. At the tables?”

Bianca frowned, trying to remember, then realized who Courtney meant. “Oh…her...”

“Yeah, her.”

“That was a two-minute conversation,” Bianca said defensively.

“Well...” Courtney began, chewing on her lip, fingers nervously fidgeting as she continued, “That’s the point. I saw that and it made me feel...I don’t know, jealous and hurt, even though I knew that wasn’t really justified, or fair to you. You’re allowed to flirt with whoever you want, right?”

A tightness began to creep into Bianca’s throat. Was Courtney saying what it sounded like she was saying?

“But, then Adore started paying attention to me and suddenly I felt okay again,” she continued, and inexplicable anger took over, crushing the hope that had begun to bloom in Bianca’s chest.  

“Great, good for you,” Bianca growled. “Why don’t you call her, then?”

“I don’t want to call her! I want you to admit that you saw me leave with her and you followed. You weren’t worried about my safety, you wanted to stop us from doing anything. Why can't you just admit that?” she asked desperately. Her eyes were pleading now and her voice started to crack.

And Bianca, of course, had no answer. She looked away, swallowing, then back at Courtney, still searching for something to say. But Courtney beat her to the punch once again.

“I think...maybe you like me,” she spoke softly. “Don’t you?”

When no answer came, once again, she tossed the book down and reached out, a hand on Bianca’s forearm.

“Well, I like you. If I didn’t like you, I’d have stayed in the club with Adore. That would have been the easiest thing. But I didn’t, because I care about you. And I think you know that...so why can’t we even talk about it like fucking adults?”

It wasn’t enough, was all Bianca could think. Courtney’s possibly temporary interest was not a reason to potentially fuck up a friendship, not to mention make their living situation extremely precarious.

Sneering, yet still not moving away, Bianca told her, “Nothing about this would be a good idea.”

“Why not?” Courtney couldn’t help saying, eyes rolling.

“Uh, about a million reasons,” Bianca said. “We’re roommates, we’re friends, and if things go south--scratch that, when things go south, it’ll be a fucking mess.”

“Could be worth it,” Courtney said, a smile pulling at her lips. “And I mean, I have heaps of other friends, so…”

Thoroughly annoyed by Courtney’s nonchalance, Bianca then went for a low blow by reminding her, “Okay, how about the fact that you've never been with a woman before?”

“So what?”

“So, I don’t even know if you’re gay. Or what you are. Maybe you’re just...confused.”

“Yeah, maybe!” Courtney burst out. “Maybe I don’t know what I am either. But labels aren’t really my priority right now. All I care about, all that matters, is that I like you.”

“What is the point of this conversation, anyway? Do you really think you can debate me into fucking you?” Bianca asked.

Courtney’s smile turned bittersweet, a sigh leaving her. She scooted closer to Bianca, their knees now touching, speaking gently and carefully.

“No, you’re right. I just wanted to tell you that I can’t stop thinking about you. And I don’t think it’s just some fleeting curiosity. I like everything about you...how smart you are, how funny, how even when you're teasing or mad at me like last night, I still wanna be close to you. I always have. You’re just so...so beautiful,” she finished, eyes soft and misty. No longer fighting, or trying to prove a point. No longer indignant or demanding an answer. Just looking at Bianca in that irresistible way, like she’d hung the moon. “And I think...it could be really great, if we gave it a shot.”

Bianca’s mind raced. How did this conversation go so off the rails, so quickly? What was she supposed to say to that?

“Maybe I’m wrong, though,” Courtney conceded lightly. “Maybe you don’t feel the same way. Maybe it’s all in my head.”

“Courtney-”

“If you tell me I’m wrong, I’ll leave. I won’t bother you about this again. So. Tell me I’m wrong.”

Courtney looked at her, challenging but still somehow soft and vulnerable. This was Bianca’s out. This was a gift, and they both knew it. And the smart thing to do would have been to take that gift and just tell her that she was wrong. Sorry for leading you on, dollface. Hope we can still be friends.

Instead, Bianca was an idiot.

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because. You’re not wrong, but-”

The smile that spread across Courtney’s face, lighting up her eyes, was yet another reminder to Bianca of how thoroughly she’d fucked this up.

“But listen,” she continued, “I told myself a long time ago that I would not, under any circumstances, be the kind of asshole who tried to seduce straight girls.”

“I’m not-”

“I know, I know, you don’t know what you are. But that’s the point, Court. I don’t want to be like, taking advantage of the fact that you’re confused right now. Okay? I just…” Bianca sighed. “God, I really should have just let you fuck that green-haired slut, huh?”

Courtney chuckled at that.

“I just...I made a promise to myself. That no matter what, I wasn’t gonna lay a hand on you.”

“Hmm.” Courtney made a small noise, backing off a little bit. “Okay.”

It was too easy, and her eyes still had that sparkle. So Bianca’s heart was still in her throat.

“I understand what you’re saying, B. And I would never want to make you feel like you have to break a personal promise.”

Bianca began to get the distinct impression that she was being mocked, in spite of the sweet and empathetic way that Courtney was speaking--or maybe because of it.

“But, if you’ll hear it...I do have a small counterpoint,” Courtney added.  

“Fine.”

“Are you sure?” Courtney asked. “I don’t want to nag you. So if your mind is made up, I-”

“Just tell me your fuckin’ counterpoint.”

“Okay.” Courtney inched forward, “Here it is.”

Bianca’s eyes shifted to her knee, where Courtney’s hand had settled. Her breathing remained shallow, body unmoving. When she looked back into Courtney’s glittering green eyes, felt the soft hand slide up her thigh, her breath hitched.

“Do you want me to stop?” Courtney whispered.

Her pulse now racing, Bianca shook her head slightly, watching Courtney’s beautiful face as her eyes went soft. She leaned closer, lips hovering over Bianca’s, so close that Bianca swore she could taste her. Her free hand tangled into Bianca’s hair, fingers running through it as she cupped her cheek.

When their mouths were mere millimeters apart, Bianca’s eyes finally fell closed, lips parting in anticipation, hands moving to Courtney’s waist. Courtney brushed their lips together, so soft Bianca thought she may have imagined it.

*

Courtney had been dreaming of this for so long; it was hard for her to believe that it was really happening. She took her time, thumbs stroking Bianca’s cheeks, nose nuzzling into her gently before finally pressing their lips together. Her mouth was pillowy soft and warm, and Courtney couldn’t help smiling against her as she deepened the kiss, tongue slipping inside her mouth to luxuriate in the taste of her.

“Court, wait...are you really sure this is what you want?” Bianca asked, pulling back just a little to search her eyes.

Still panting, Courtney took a moment to compose herself, enough to look into Bianca’s eyes and say, “Dead sure.”  

“Ugh, that’s so Aussie,” Bianca stated, and Courtney laughed, pulling her close again.

“Shut up,” she whispered, going in for another soft kiss.  

And then, like a dam bursting open, she lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Bianca’s shoulders and climbing into her lap. A low moan left Bianca’s lips as she rolled her hips forward, which emboldened Courtney to continue, rocking against her. Her lips trailed down Bianca’s jaw to her neck, finding the tenderest spot to graze with her teeth before sucking gently.

*

“Shit,” Bianca murmured, fingers digging into Courtney’s waist.

Why on earth had she been fighting this?

She supposed that from the beginning, the fact that Courtney was straight had addled her mind. Made her off-limits in a way that allowed Bianca to pretend that she was keeping her distance. And the fact that this ‘straight’ girl seemed so into her? That made it better--an exercise in self-control, which Bianca deluded herself into thinking that she was winning. At least until this weekend.

Now though, with Courtney finally in her arms, enthusiastically devouring her neck, pulling at the buttons of her top, she finally allowed herself to relax.

“You’re really jumping into this lesbian thing with both feet, huh?” Bianca asked breathlessly.

“Is there any other way to do it?” Courtney murmured, licking up her throat, then pushing Bianca’s top open and letting out a gratified sigh.

The way she drank Bianca in with hungry, greedy eyes made hairs stand up on the back of her neck. And then she reached forward, hands sliding up Bianca’s torso, cupping her tits.

“God, you’re so sexy,” Courtney breathed, running the back of her fingers over Bianca’s achingly hard nipples.

“Shit,” Bianca groaned again, arching up. The frantic pulsing between her legs begged her to take back control—to fling Courtney onto her back and make her forget her own name. But part of her was also thrilled by how self-assured Courtney was, how quickly she’d been able to work Bianca up to the point of pain.

“Do you like that, B?” Courtney asked softly. Her body weight pressed down as fingers continued to casually toy with her nipples.

Bianca looked up at her, bleary-eyed with lust, and admitted, “I’ve never been so happy to be wrong in my life.”

Courtney giggled adorably, laying a light kiss against Bianca’s temple.

“Hold that thought,” she then said, jumping up from the bed.

Bianca lifted herself onto her elbows and blinked at her, a bit dazed, as she rifled through her dresser.

“What...what the hell are you looking for?”

“Just something to...aha!” Courtney pulled out a pair of black tights and ran to the door, tying them around the handle.

“We haven’t really established that code,” Bianca said.

“She’s smart. She’ll figure it out.” Courtney shut the door firmly, turning back to Bianca with a wicked grin. She whipped off her shirt (and bra) in one fluid motion, tossing them to the floor, then took her sweet time sauntering back to the bed, asking, “Where were we?”

Bianca cleared her throat, trying to tear her eyes from her perfect little tits before answering hoarsely, “You were teasing the shit out of me.”

“Oh yeah,” Courtney said brightly, climbing back on the bed and straddling her quickly. “Thanks...”

#rpdr fanfiction #bitney #bianca del rio #courtney act #willam belli #alaska thunderfuck #willaska #shea coulee #college au #lesbian au #friends to lovers #fluff #almost smut #off limits #just friends #veronica #albatross

[artificialqueens]

Off Limits, Chapter 1 (Bitney, Willaska) - Veronica/Albatross

A/N: Hey guys! This is the companion story to “No Strings Attached.” We’re tagging them both as “Just Friends” so that it’ll be easy to read the chapters in order, but once it gets complicated, I might include a guide. Both ships are in both stories, but generally, “No Strings Attached” is Willaska-focused and this one is Bitney-focused. (Link to all chapters in order, which so far is just 2.)

Summary: When Bianca meets her new roommates, she’s especially captivated by one of them. Worse, the feeling seems to be mutual.

***

Bianca hated being fucking late. It was bad enough that she’d had to drive all the way from New Orleans to California, praying that her 7-year-old Kia wouldn’t break down. But for the last leg of her trip, which should have been 45 minutes, she got caught in an accident on the freeway that turned what should have been a short, pleasant zip up the freeway into a torturous 4-hour crawl.

By the time she reached the dorms, she was fuming--not to mention exhausted. And having to lug her shit from possibly the worst parking spot in the garage did nothing to improve her shitty mood. By the time she’d achieved some semblance of order in her room, she was hot and thirsty and as cranky as she’d ever been.

She chugged about a gallon of water and then collapsed on the sofa, arm over her eyes, trying to summon the energy to think about a shower.

It was then when the front door swung open and a trio of laughing, chattering girls poured inside.

Bianca looked up. At first glance, all she saw was Blonde, Blonde, Blonde. A bunch of perfect, plastic sorority girls, exactly the type of girl she couldn’t stand. (And, if she was honest, exactly the type of girl that she always feared a little bit.) She groaned inwardly, sitting up and giving them a withering glare.

Unable to help herself, she announced, “Great...I’m living with a bunch of bottle blonde bitches.” As the words left her mouth, she realized that she was perhaps not making the best first impression. But instead of taking it back, she doubled down with, “So whose hideous leopard duvet is that?”

The Littlest Blonde burst into delighted giggles, before glancing at the (Bianca assumed) Duvet-Owning Blonde beside her and pressing her lips together contritely.

Slutty Blonde slung an arm around Duvet Blonde and said, “Calm down, bitch. Some of us are garbage pails with hideous taste. We’re still people.”

Bianca pursed her lips, determined to continue hating them all.

With that, Little Blonde skipped forward, flinging herself onto the sofa and offering a bright smile.

“Hi, I’m Courtney. You must be our fourth roommate,” she said.

She had an accent--a cute accent. Shit. Do not let the accent fool you. This Barbie doll bitch isn’t your friend.  

“Wow...what gave that away, detective?” Bianca asked, narrowing her eyes slightly.

“Well…” she leaned in conspiratorially, speaking in a low voice. “It would be a little weird for you to be here, if you weren’t. So...” She finished with a flutter of lashes and another dazzling smile, green eyes dancing with amusement.

Well, fuck. Bianca was not planning to be this charmed, this quickly. The plan was to be grumpy and sulk for awhile. Foiled by a pretty face...not the first time, but still annoying.

“Genius.” Bianca tried to suppress her smile, but dimples poked through anyway.

“I knooow, right?”

Australian. Bianca winced. Surely this was some kind of karmic justice for a terrible deed she’d done as a child. After all, there was no way in hell that Bianca would get involved with one of her roommates. She was many things, but she was not that messy.

“So, are you gonna tell us your name?” Courtney asked.

“Yeah, sorry. Bianca. Hi.”

“Hi, Bianca, nice to meet you.”

God, even the way she said her name was sexy. Bee-aaaahn-cah. Ugh. Bianca was well and truly fucked.

“Hey, I’m Willam,” Slutty Blonde said, perching on the arm of the sofa. “And that’s Alaska...your roommate. You should be nicer to her; she’s cool.”

Duvet Blonde gave a halfhearted wave.

“Hi, Alaska,” Bianca said, slightly chagrined, “I’m sorry...about your lack of taste. We’ll work on it.”

Courtney giggled again, tossing her hair, still watching Bianca closely. And as much as she wanted to look away, to dismiss her as some airhead, she had to admit that something in her eyes was captivating.

“So, Bianca...where are you from?” Courtney asked.

“New Orleans,” Bianca told her.

“Oooh, have you ever been to Mardi Gras?!” she asked, eyes lighting up.

“Uhh. Yeah.”

“Did you bring us any beads?”

“Why not get out your tits and see, Court?” Willam suggested.

Courtney started to lift the edge of her shirt, and Bianca’s eyes went wide--this girl was turning out to be a lot more than she’d bargained for. Courtney glanced at her surprised face and burst out laughing again.

“Just kidding.”

“Good one,” Bianca offered, a little ashamed at the flash of disappointment she felt. Of course she was kidding; Bianca needed a cold shower.  

“So, are you a new student here?” Courtney asked.

“Yeah.” Bianca cleared her throat. “I transferred from LSU.”

“Where’s that?”

“Louisiana...State...University,” Bianca explained slowly, as if she was talking to a child. Her tone was intentionally condescending, but Courtney continued her rapid-fire questions undeterred.

“Ah! Brilliant. And have you-”

“You ask a lot of questions,” Bianca said. She’d never experienced that many questions in a row, and considering her gigantic nosy-ass family, that was saying a lot. If she wasn’t so cute, Bianca would be thoroughly irritated.  

“Sure does,” Willam added with an eye roll.

“Oh yeah. I know. Is it annoying you?” Courtney bit her lip, head tilted cutely.

“That’s another question,” Bianca declared stonily, pretending once again not to be charmed. And doing a piss-poor job of it, if the glimmer in Courtney’s eyes was any indication.

“Hmm, I guess it is,” Courtney said, tone lilting and gently mocking. “Sorry, I’m just trying to get to know you.”

“Maybe I should ask you some questions.”  

“Maybe you should!” Courtney replied brightly. She stretched her legs--long, tan, killer legs--placing them on the coffee table and folding them delicately at the ankles. “What would you like to know?”

Do you moan in an Australian accent?

Bianca coughed, mind blanking for a moment, before admitting with a shrug, “I guess...I’m not very curious.”

“Pity. ‘Cause I’m an open book.”

“Uh. Good to know.” After a beat, Bianca offered, “So. I had kind of a shitty morning.”

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Courtney sat up straighter, the teasing smirk replaced with an expression of genuine concern. “Are you okay?”

“It’s fine, I just...I was actually about to jump in the shower. I’ll probably be in a better mood after that.”

“Well, that’s a relief,” said Willam, and Alaska let out a clipped laugh.

“I deserved that,” Bianca said with a nod and wry smile. “So I guess I’ll go...do that.”

With one last glance at the group, Bianca got up and walked towards her bedroom to get her things.

“What a cunt,” Willam said loudly--loud enough that Bianca knew it was for her benefit. She chuckled to herself.

“Bill!” Courtney scolded, then added, “I like her.”

“Clearly. Why don’t you go make my bed?”

“Make your own bed, dickhead!” Courtney shrieked.

The shower was much needed. Bianca could feel the stress of the day literally rinsing away, muscles relaxing in the steamy water. When she re-entered her bedroom, Alaska was lounging on the bed, flipping through a magazine. She sat down at her desk, pulling over a light-up mirror.

She took her time blow-drying her hair. Even put on some makeup. No reason not to look nice for a relaxing afternoon of getting to know her roommates, right? She pulled on a casual summer dress and sandals and then began to put everything away in its spot...blow dryer in the stackable basket with her curling iron, makeup in the case, brushes in the cup.

She turned around to Alaska, who gave her a smile.

“I like your bins,” Alaska commented, gesturing to Bianca’s compulsively organized and labeled plastic bins, lined up under her bed and stacked on the dresser.

“Thanks. And I like your...uh…” Bianca surveyed the mess on Alaska’s side of the room before settling on the word, “...piles.”

Alaska let out a loud cackle. The most Bianca had seen her laugh yet. She grinned wryly.

“I’m a little bit messy, sorry,” Alaska said.

“It’s cool,” Bianca shrugged. “To each their own.”

“I’ll keep it contained, I swear. And on my side of the room.”

“You fucking better!” Bianca exclaimed, and was rewarded with another laugh from her roommate.

***

Courtney didn’t like to admit it, but she’d had a bit of a lonely summer. She’d decided with her parents that, since she wanted to come home for Christmas again this year, it made more sense for her to stay at school, taking a few classes and working at an internship.

It usually wasn’t hard for Courtney to make friends, but somehow, she hadn’t connected with anyone. Her classmates seemed lovely, and her coworkers were nice enough too, but she missed the late-night gossiping with Willam, the chance to let loose and be silly. The girls she attempted to hang out with over the summer just weren’t the kind of unpredictable fun that Willam was. And her summer roommate was a reclusive Belgian girl who spent all of her time buried in her laptop wearing headphones.

But today, she was thrilled. Willam was finally back, and even better, she had two new fantastically wonderful roommates.

Alaska was great. A little reserved, maybe, but that was alright with Courtney. She had a great sense of humor and a genuinely kind soul that Courtney adored right away. Plus, she seemed to get along really well with Willam, which was a relief. (Courtney loved her BFF, but she knew that getting her seal of approval could be difficult.)

And then there was Bianca. Blunt and a bit abrasive, but Courtney found herself thoroughly enchanted almost immediately, reveling in her sharp wit and acid tongue. Her dark, flashing eyes. She was unlike anyone Courtney had ever met before, truth be told.

As Courtney helped Willam stuff her clothes into the closet and dresser and arrange her shoes and bags under the bed, she sighed happily, grateful to be surrounded by people with whom she could really let down her hair.

It took ages before Willam was satisfied. Well, not so much satisfied as much as resigned to accept the confines of their limited space. She turned to Courtney with a sigh, saying, “Well, it is what it is, I guess.”

Courtney laughed and suggested that they check on the others, skipping happily over to Bianca and Alaska’s open door. She pushed it in further, asking, “How are you ladies doing? Bonding?”

“Oh yeah,” Bianca said, turning around in her desk chair, large curling iron in hand. “Our periods are already in sync.”

Alaska laughed, and Courtney was glad to see that some of her earlier tension had melted away.

“How disgustingly primal,” Willam said, collapsing on the bed next to Alaska, who moved over to give her space.

Courtney settled on the floor nearby. She watched as Bianca carefully styled her hair, admiring the color—a rich, reddish mahogany brown—and wondering how she got it so shiny.

“Is your room bigger than ours?” Willa asked, pulling Courtney out of her thoughts as she looked around suspiciously.

“I don’t know. Is it?” Bianca asked.

“Bill’s pretty pissed about the closet space,” Courtney explained. “I gave her one of my drawers, but…” She shrugged, pulling affectionately on one of Willam’s bare feet, “Some people are just never satisfied.”

“I have an extra drawer, too,” Alaska offered, and Bianca’s eyebrows shot up.

“You sure you don’t want to use that for some of the stuff that’s…” she gestured to the top of Alaska’s dresser.

Looking at their spaces, Courtney could see a clear clash of styles. Bianca’s things were almost obsessively organized, lined up in containers with p-touch labels. Alaska’s side of the room was more haphazard, similar to Courtney’s space.

“Nah, she can have it,” Alaska said with a sweet smile, and Bianca responded by sticking out her tongue briefly.

Courtney giggled, seeing them tease each other, happy that they already seemed to be friends. She relaxed against Alaska’s desk chair, finally content to just let the conversation drift as it were, taking a break from her usual Oprah mode.

“So...not to be a wet blanket on all this delightful female bonding, but...where can a bitch find some decent vegetarian food around here?” Bianca asked, putting away her hairstyling tools and turning around.

“You’re hungry?” Courtney looked up at her.

“No, just thought I’d buy some food and throw it at seagulls. Yes, I’m fucking hungry.”

Through Courtney’s immediate laughter, Willam muttered, “Decent shit is mostly downtown...but edible? There’s the cafeteria next door, the salad bar over by the biology building, food court in the quad, the-”

“No, Bill,” Courtney giggled out with a weak swat at Willam’s leg. “Let’s get something different. Something better.” She decided not to add ‘for Bianca.’

Willam rolled her eyes and huffed out, “Fine then, cunt. Where do you suggest we eat?”

There was a moment’s pause as Courtney pondered over the question before thoughtfully looking up at Bianca, asking, “Do you like burritos?”

“Wow. That’s racist.”

“No, it’s not because you’re--I didn’t mean--it’s just that they’re really good and you said-” Courtney tripped all over herself to explain, flustered, cheeks growing hot. Shit, she hoped she hadn’t been offensive.

After a beat, Bianca burst out laughing.

“I was kidding, calm down. Burritos sound good.”

“Courtney, are you talking about that hole in the wall on Fair Oaks? We’ll have to take a car.”

“It’s good, and they have tons of veggie options, and you love driving,” Courtney insisted. “Plus, everything on campus will be chockers right now.”

“‘Chockers’?!” Willam repeated. “That’s so Aussie!”

“Packed, full, whatever, you know I’m right.”

“Ugh. Alright,” Willam groaned, then asked, “Alaska? You in?”

“Uh, I’m not really all that hungry,” Alaska said. “You guys should go.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I’m getting a little bit of a headache.”

“Oh no!” Courtney leapt to her feet. “Do you need something? I have magnesium supplements. Or, vitamin b-complex. That’s great for headaches!”

“Or, if you want something that actually works, I got Tylenol and Advil…” Bianca gestured to one of her boxes.

“I’ve got Vicodin,” Willam added. “And weed.”

“Thanks guys, but I think I just need to lay down for awhile.”

“Okay, we’ll leave you alone. Let us know if you want us to bring you back any food,” Courtney offered.

“Thanks.”

As the group trooped out of the room, Bianca grabbed her purse and then slung an arm around Courtney’s shoulder, asking, “Magnesium supplements?”

“My dad’s a doctor of alternative medicine,” Courtney giggled.

“Well, that tracks…”

***

By the time they perched on the rickety stools at the burrito place, Bianca was beyond starving. She dug into her food with a passion as Courtney resumed her questioning from earlier.

“Sooo,” she began, drawing out the word in that infuriatingly adorable Australian way, “You said that you transferred from Louisiana, right? What brings you out here?”

“Well, I’m majoring in marketing and international relations, and they have this scholarship that combines-”

“You’re an Ashford Scholar?!” Courtney exclaimed, eyes widening dramatically.

Bianca couldn’t help be a bit pleased with herself, happy that the prestigious scholarship was known even beyond the business school. Courtney was clearly impressed, and so she gave a small shrug of faux modesty.

“That’s amazing, that’s really...you know only 1 person a year gets that, right?” Courtney asked.

Bianca nodded and swallowed, then said, “Can’t wait to meet last year’s bitch. I assume they’re extraordinary too.”

Courtney giggled, resting her cheek on her hand. “So I guess that means you’re gonna have a lot of work to do. I heard those Ashford internships are seriously intense.”

“I’ll manage…”

Though her answer sounded nonchalant, she was enjoying Courtney’s obvious respect for her accomplishment. Her eyes practically glimmered in admiration.

“What about you, dollface?” Bianca asked. “What’s your major? Psychology?”

“No...although actually I did consider that!” Courtney said.

“Shocking.”

Courtney giggled, crunching down on a chip and saying, “I’m doing PoliSci.”

“Oh, cool.”

“Yeah…” she leaned in and stage whispered, “Your political system here is absolutely up the shit.”

Bianca laughed, not entirely familiar with that expression but getting the gist. She was about to agree when Willam interrupted her thoughts.

“That’s so Aussie!” Willam said, mouth muffled with food.

She assumed that was some kind of inside joke, but found herself unconcerned with being left out. What was more troubling was that until that moment, she’d temporarily forgotten that Willam was even there. She could already tell that it was a problem...how enchanting her new roommate was. Not to mention beautiful. The more Bianca looked into Courtney’s face, the more captivated she became. She cleared her throat, forcing her attention to Willam, who was working her way through a steak burrito bowl. Bianca nudged her foot.

“What’s your major, then?”

She expected a proud, boastful response but instead, there was just further silence. Conversation dropped dead for a few moments before Courtney chimed in softly with, “She doesn’t have a major yet...She’s still undeclared.”

“What?” Bianca exclaimed in amazement as a hint of pink rose to Willam’s cheeks despite her stony expression. “How can you still be undeclared? What year are you in?”

“Third,” Willam answered tensely, “And it's not that unusual. I just haven’t found the right thing yet, okay?”

If it wasn’t clear before that this was a touchy subject, the little huff at the end of her defense made it painfully obvious.

“Okay, well...cool.” Bianca grimaced awkwardly. Served her right for trying her hand at some Courtney-esque interview questions. She racked her brain for a lighter topic of conversation. “So...what do you guys...do for fun?”

“Shop,” Willam answered decisively.

“Oh! You know what we should do!” Courtney exclaimed brightly. “We should go to Cielo Plaza tomorrow!”

“What’s that?” Bianca asked, relieved that the subject change had worked.

“A mall,” Willam answered. “It’s no King of Prussia but there are a few good stores in there.”

Bianca wasn’t sure what the fuck “King of Prussia” was, but Courtney breezed right past it, happily pitching how great the activity would be.

“Yeah! And it’s so cute. We could have lunch, find some more decorations for the apartment, get some new clothes-”

“Should ask Alaska if she wants to come too,” Willam said, continuing to speak through mouthfuls of food.

“Of course!” Courtney enthused. “And then Saturday, we could go to the beach! Do you like the beach?”

Bianca did not like the beach. Sand in her asscrack was the last thing she wanted. But the idea of seeing Courtney in a bathing suit was pretty appealing…

“Love the beach,” she said with a smile.  

“Great!” Courtney leaned back proudly.

“So, uh…what about nighttime fun?” Bianca’s eyes flickered unconsciously to Courtney’s glossy lips, the way her tongue toyed with the straw, before quickly adding, “Any good clubs?”

“We’re underage,” Courtney said sweetly.

“Oh, right.” Bianca turned to Willam. “Come on. I know you’ve got a fake ID. Where do you go?”

A secretive, almost mischievous smile spread across Willam’s lips as her eyes narrowed in on Bianca consideringly. There was a confident, daring tone in her voice as she responded with a simple, “Depends.”

Arching her brow, egging her on, Bianca shot back, “On?”

Willam’s smile grew just a little wider as answered, “On what your type of scene is.”

Fully catching onto the joke that had gone over Courtney’s head, Bianca sat back in her seat, arms crossed with an amused grin of her own and asked, “What do you think it is?”

There was a loaded pause as the two stared one another down. Courtney’s eyes darted back and forth in confusion, looking absolutely lost.

Finally, after what felt like a decade of waiting, Willam broke the silence of the group and replied almost smugly, “I think you'll be right at home in Sierra's.”

“Willam!” Courtney scolded harshly as she gave her friend a firm smack to the arm. Turning a bright shade of pink, she turned to Bianca and apologized, lowing her voice, “I'm sorry, that...that's a gay bar.”

The way her voice had dipped into such a low whisper had Bianca laughing on the spot. As soon as she managed to get ahold of herself, she inquired with amusement, “So? What’s wrong with gay bars?”

Stunned, Courtney blinked several times before finding her voice again. “Nothing! That’s not what I-it’s not that there’s anything wrong, she just shouldn’t assume...I mean, if you’re okay with it, then-”

“Well, it’s probably gonna be my best bet at getting laid,” came the nonchalant answer.

Looking rather pleased with herself, Willam piped back up for affirmation, “So you are...?”

Nodding her head, Bianca confirmed, “Mh-mm...And what about you? Casual observer or part of the family?”

“I mean...if that's what I'm in the mood for, yeah.”

“Makes sense,” Bianca quipped as her brow arched, “You do seem like the ‘take it anywhere you can get it’ type.”

The comment earned a loud laugh, one distinct enough to draw the attention of nearly everyone else in the shop. Despite the onlookers, Willam reassured her with a playful grin, “Trust me bitch, it’s not that hard to get it around here...”

“Sounds promising,” Bianca replied before turning back to Courtney, “You alright, dollface? You’ve been awfully quiet over here.”

Stumbling to collect herself, Courtney found herself mumbling, “Oh...um, no. I mean, yeah, I'm not-I mean-”

“Court is straight,” Willam said, saving her from stammering any longer.  

“You don’t say,” Bianca said, trying to sound like she’d known all along. Secretly though, she was a bit surprised. She could have sworn that the blonde had been giving her vibes all day. Well...too bad. Karmic justice, indeed. With a sly sideways glance at her, Bianca clucked, “Pity.”  

Snorting through her laughter, Willam shook her head and said, “Yeah, you wish, bitch. But that pussy’s a boys club.”

“Bill!” Courtney wrinkled her nose in distaste.

Bianca shook her head sadly, asking, “So...you’ve never even been eaten out by someone who actually knows what the hell they're doing down there?”

“Hey! Men can learn!” Courtney exclaimed defensively, then a tiny conspiratorial grin crept onto her face and she admitted, “I mean...hypothetically.”

Bianca burst into cackling laughter.

“Oh, you poor baby,” she cooed, still giggling, slipping an arm around Courtney’s shoulders. Courtney turned to her with a look of good-natured self-pity, lower lip puffed out, batting her lashes slowly for comedic effect.

The more Bianca thought about it, the more she realized that there was something a bit freeing about Courtney being straight. She was straight. There were lines that would never be crossed, ever. So it meant she was safe to flirt and have fun and it would never make her living situation complicated.

Win win, right?

Bianca looked into Courtney’s sparkling green eyes one last time before removing the arm from her shoulder, chuckles dying down.

***

Bianca suggested a stop at the grocery store on the way home, which Courtney realized was a great idea, since she had barely anything stocked, having chosen to eat most of her meals for the past few days in the cafeteria by their building.

Plus, she didn’t mind at all that they were extending their outing, finding Bianca to be both hilarious and fascinating. While Willam was occupied on her phone, Courtney hopped into the cart, beaming up at Bianca.

“Uh, I’m sorry, are your legs broken?” Bianca asked pointedly.

“Come on, please?! I wanna riiiiide,” she wheedled, and Bianca smirked at her.

“Oh, I can give you a ride.”

Courtney bit her lip, both hating and loving the way her stomach twisted every time she looked into Bianca’s brown eyes. It was thrilling, but also terrifying, like being on a rollercoaster--and Courtney loved rollercoasters. She was still a bit miffed at Willam for so adamantly proclaiming her straightness earlier, though she couldn’t really say why. It was true, of course, she was straight, but the way Willam said it so definitively was annoying, especially since she’d only just found out that Bianca was gay moments before.

All Courtney did know, for sure, was that she was having fun, so she decided just to enjoy herself and not stress about it.

They sped through the store, picking up pantry staples and some produce for the next couple of days, along with a few treats that Courtney insisted on...coconut water, dates, kale chips. Bianca pretended to be disgusted by all of it.

At one point, in the freezer aisle, Courtney found herself gazing up at Bianca, admiring again how thick and shiny her hair was. When Bianca leaned over the cart to toss in a package of frozen peas, Courtney reached up, fingering a lock gently.

“Is that your real hair color?” she asked.

“No,” Bianca said, “Not even close. Why, is that your real hair color?” She reached out, unceremoniously ruffling Courtney’s hair.

Courtney ducked and giggled, saying, “Almost! It’s...slightly enhanced.”

A wicked look passed across Bianca’s face as she said, “You know, there’s a way to check that.”

“Eyebrows?” Courtney asked, lashes fluttering innocently.

Bianca cackled gleefully, dark eyes dancing with joy, and said, “Yeah, eyebrows. That’s exactly what I was thinking.”

Courtney bit her lip, feeling a surge of pride at making someone as funny as Bianca laugh so hard.

They were almost to the check-out when an employee asked tiredly for her to please get out of the cart.

“Oh yeah, sorry!” she said, scrambling to get up.

“Need a hand?” Bianca asked.

“Thanks.” Courtney let Bianca help her out, one hand holding the cart steady and the other on her waist. A faint blush colored her cheeks as she jumped down and found herself chest to chest with Bianca, close enough to smell her perfume, which was lovely--warm and smoky. It made Courtney want to lean in closer...

“Let’s go!” Willam screeched, slamming the cart into their legs.

“Soz Bill!” Courtney snapped out of her daze and headed for the registers, making sure to snatch a few bars of dark chocolate on the way, chuckling slightly at Willam’s mumbled “that’s so Aussie.”

It was still early when they got back to the apartment, and Courtney was too riled up to sleep, so she suggested opening a bottle of the wine that Bianca bought. Alaska was dozing, so they left her in peace while the three of them sat around Courtney and Willam’s room and chatted for a few more hours. They shared stories about their childhoods and families, generally getting to know each other--at least until Bianca’s eyelids began to look heavy and they sent her off to bed.

As Courtney finally snuggled down into her comforter, lightly buzzed and perfectly content, her last thought was how lucky she was, how wonderful her roommates were, how life-changingly amazing this year promised to be.

#rpdr fanfiction #bitney #willaska #bianca del rio #courtney act #willam belli #alaska thunderfuck #college au #lesbian au #slow burn #kind of #friends to lovers #fluff #off limits #just friends #veronica #albatross

[artificialqueens]

Flannel Shirt (Willaska) - Citrus

A/N: sorry for my absence in this community, i’m sure you can imagine why i was gone for a while. ah, well. time to get back on the horse. i wrote this smutty little drabble in just over an hour, while racing mollyroll for a higher word count. she also beta’d and i love her to the moon and back. xoxo citrus

When Alaska came strutting out of the bedroom, the air left Willam’s lungs.

Her hair was a mess, as it almost always was, but that wasn’t the thing that caught her girlfriend’s attention. Rather, it was the oversized flannel she was wearing as a dress. Tall as she was, the fabric barely reached her upper thigh, leaving her legs bare and making Willam’s head spin. The flannel was buttoned up halfway, one sleeve draped over her shoulder and exposing the love bites littering her neck and collarbone as she padded to the kitchen to make herself a cup of coffee. Her tousled hair added to the “freshly fucked” look, but she didn’t seem to notice the effect her ensemble had on her partner.

Willam watched with hungry eyes as Alaska busied herself with the coffee machine, practically drooling when her girlfriend reached the top shelf to grab a mug and the flannel rode up her thighs. It was absolutely too early in the morning for her to be this horny, yet here she was, completely ignoring her laptop despite her full inbox.

She stood up and made her way to the kitchen to grab a glass of water, hoping to calm herself down a little; what was she, a fucking teenager? As she filled her glass, Alaska’s soft body pressed against her back, arms snaking around her waist as the scent of her shampoo flooded Willam’s senses.

“Morning, baby,” she said sweetly, pressing a kiss to her girlfriend’s cheek. She smelled like toothpaste and last night’s perfume, and Willam was hyper-aware of every point of contact between their bodies. “How’d you sleep?”

“Fine,” Willam answered, relieved that her voice hadn’t broken. The coffee machine beeped and Alaska pulled away to fill her mug, adding what Willam considered to be far too much creamer; her Laska liked it sweet. Taking a tentative sip, she sighed happily.

“Any plans for the day, Will?”

Bending you over the fucking countertop.

“Just finishing up some work,” Willam answered, taking a long sip of water. Her eyes flickered over Alaska’s thighs again, and her mind wandered. If she really wanted to, she could press Alaska against the counter and slide a leg between her thighs, grab her hips tight and kiss her until she let out the little whines that Willam loved so much. She could unbutton that stupid flannel until it fell open and left her girlfriend exposed and shivering, kiss down her perfect fucking body and leave even darker bruises until Alaska was squirming and begging to be touched. Her fingers could find their way between Alaska’s legs and-

“Baby?”

She snapped out of her trance at Alaska’s tone. Fuck, had she spaced out while Laska was trying to get her attention? Damn her libido to hell, and damn that stupid fucking flannel.

“Yeah?”

Alaska giggled at the expression on Willam’s face. “Do you want me to make you some coffee too? You seem a little out of it.”

Willam nodded, taking another sip of water. “Yeah, sure.” She didn’t need to give specifics; Alaska knew exactly how she liked her coffee. Alaska knew everything about her, really. “Sorry, I guess I’m more tired than I thought.”

Her girlfriend shot her a look, appearing to be biting back a smile, but the expression was quickly replaced by frustration as she dropped her stirring spoon and it clattered to the floor. She bent over to pick it up, granting Willam a perfect view of her sheer white panties and confirming that she was pantsless beneath the flannel. Willam gulped down the rest of her water, placing the glass haphazardly in the sink just before Alaska pressed a steaming mug of black coffee into her hands.

“One sugar,” she smiled sweetly, and Willam’s arousal was momentarily replaced by fondness for just how well her girlfriend knew her. Alaska’s lips brushed against hers, and Willam had to be very careful not to spill hot coffee over the both of them as her girlfriend’s tongue slipped into her mouth. She tasted like vanilla creamer, sweet and heady on Willam’s tongue as she gently pried the mug from her hands and set it on the countertop. Willam’s hands came to rest on Alaska’s hips, pulling her closer until their bodies were flush and she could feel Alaska’s heartbeat.

They remained like that for a few moments, kissing lazily as sunlight streamed through the kitchen window, until Alaska pulled away reluctantly. Willam had to swallow an embarrassing whine at the loss of her body heat, realizing just how turned on she was in that moment.

Alaska ran a hand through her hair, smoothing out the tangles, and Willam almost pounced on her. She grabbed her coffee mug, taking a sip of the bitter concoction in an attempt to clear her head. It was almost embarrassing how completely her thoughts were consumed by her girlfriend’s body, but could anyone really blame her? Alaska gave her another look, and this time it was more pointed, her tongue poking out from between her lips as she smirked. Had she finally figured out why Willam was so distracted?

She nudged the counter with her hip, sending the spoon clattering to the floor again, and this time Willam could tell that it was entirely on purpose, because she turned around completely in order to pick it up. She was slower this time too, bending over lazily and staying down while she fumbled to pick the utensil up. Willam had to steady herself against the counter as Alaska showed off for her, the contours of her outer lips fully visible against her paper-thin panties. Alaska stood up slowly, and Willam swore she saw her shake her ass a little as she did so, replacing the spoon on the countertop.

“Gravity is clearly working against me today,” she said with a little smile that told Willam she knew exactly what she was doing. “I hope you liked the view.”

“Loved it,” Willam croaked, watching her girlfriend’s smile widen. “You fucking tease.”

Alaska bit her lower lip, fingers toying with the top button of the flannel and slipping it out of its closure. Willam sipped her coffee, doing her best to remain nonchalant as Lasky undid the buttons one by one until the oversized shirt hung open on her tall frame. Willam swallowed thickly as Alaska’s slender fingers ran down her chest, pulling the flannel away on one side to expose one of her small, perky breasts and toy with her nipple with a soft whine of pleasure.

Willam had had enough; she crossed the kitchen in an instant to crash their mouths together, Alaska’s back hitting the wall as Willam pushed the flannel down her shoulders.

“You slut,” she growled, nipping at Alaska’s earlobe as her girlfriend gasped happily at the attention. “You wore this on purpose, didn’t you?”

Alaska shook her head, squealing when Willam smacked her thigh in response. “I wanted to be comfy! I expected you to like it, but not this much. I didn’t think you’d be so- ah- turned on.”

“Maybe you’re just dense, then,” Willam murmured. “You should know better than to waltz around half-naked, showing off your hickeys like it’s nothing.”

“Isn’t it?” Alaska challenged breathlessly, eyes dark with arousal. “I thought you liked seeing me marked up.”

Willam pushed a hand between her girlfriend’s legs, feeling the slickness of her panties and enjoying her little whines. “I do. I can’t believe you didn’t do this on purpose. You look like you’re begging to be fucked.”

Alaska mewled as Willam’s fingers teased her over her wet underwear, loving just how dominant her girlfriend had decided to be this morning. “Maybe it was a little more intentional than I said,” she confessed. “I wanted to see what you’d do if I acted like nothing was different.”

“I had half a mind to bend you over the kitchen counter before you could even make your coffee,” Willam answered before pulling away from her girlfriend’s body and grabbing her wrist. “Bedroom. Now.”

Alaska followed her obediently, letting Willam all but slam her down on the bed. The flannel fell open around her, and Willam finally got a good look at her girlfriend’s body as the sun coming through the curtains created streaks of light across her pale skin. She pulled her arms out of the sleeves in order to sit up and pull Willam in for a kiss, giggling when her girlfriend pushed her back against the mattress.

“I like you like this,” she said, gasping loudly when Willam’s lips wrapped around her nipple. Willam definitely had a head start on horniness, but Alaska could feel herself getting wetter as her girlfriend lavished attention on her chest. She couldn’t help being needy, she just loved being treated like a princess, and Willam always delivered.

Willam pulled away from Alaska’s petite breast with a soft pop, and Alaska spread her legs to give her girlfriend a perfect view. She was so wet that her lacy panties had become almost completely sheer, showing off her soaking pussy and making hot arousal curl in Willam’s core.

“You’re so fucking wet,” she purred, sliding a finger against Alaska’s barely-covered clit and hearing her gasp with delight. “Soaked right through these pretty panties. I should just take ‘em off.”

Alaska nodded eagerly, letting Willam hook her fingers in the waistband and pull them downward. The soaked fabric clung to her folds, providing a sweet moment of pleasure when they disconnected and left Alaska’s heated pussy exposed to the cool air. Willam threw the damp underwear to the floor, pushing Alaska’s thighs apart to admire her.

“Look at you, baby, you’re dripping. Is this all for me?”

“Always,” Alaska moaned. Willam blew on her pussy, the cold air against her slick flesh making her shiver all over. She needed more from Willam, but Willam didn’t seem like she was in the mood to give her what she wanted.

“Let me guess, Lasky, you want me to eat you out? Make these pretty thighs tremble?”

Alaska nodded desperately, back arching as Willam’s fingertip teased the tip of her clit so gently that it was barely there at all. It was so intense yet simultaneously not enough, and she gripped the sheets tightly as Willam bent down to lick the swollen bud. Her tongue dipped lower to collect the juices pooling at Alaska’s entrance, and the taller woman could’ve cried as her girlfriend’s hot, wet tongue explored her aching pussy. She needed more, more, more, and Willam was far too much of a tease to give it to her, so she was forced to gasp and whine in masochistic ecstasy as her girlfriend edged her.

“I need more,” Alaska whined, frustrated that her girlfriend wouldn’t let her come. “Please, Will.”

“Mm, this is your punishment for being a tease,” Willam grinned, but she indulged Alaska by sliding a finger into her wet heat, producing a gasp from the younger woman.

“I didn’t do it to tease you,” Alaska protested, squirming as Willam’s thumb found her clit. “I just thought it would be cute. I didn’t know you’d be so into it!”

Willam chuckled, leaning down to kiss her. “I don’t know why it struck me as so sexy, but it did. It’s just so different from what you normally lounge around in.”

“You mean nothing?” Alaska giggled breathlessly. The two of them were openly proud of their bodies, and both were known to hang around the house naked at one time or another, which was probably why Willam was so attracted to Alaska treading the line between wearing regular clothes and being completely nude.

“You look sexy in nothing. But you look even sexier when you’re picking and choosing what to show.”

Alaska’s back arched as Willam slipped another finger inside her. “I’ll keep that in mind. Ugh, harder.”

Willam laughed and picked up the pace, driving Alaska to the edge and attacking her neck with fierce kisses as she fell over into the abyss. The bruises on her neck were tender and she gasped weakly as Willam sucked at them, making them darker and angrier. She was utterly and completely hers.

As she came down, she rolled over into Willam’s arms, holding her girlfriend close.

“I love you,” she said with a smile, erupting into full-blown giggles when her hair tickled Willam’s nose and she scrunched up her face. “I’ll have to wear that shirt more often.”

#rpdr fanfiction #willaska #willam belli #alaska thunderfuck #lesbian au #smut #fluff #citrus

[artificialqueens]

No Strings Attached, Part 3 (Willaska, Bitney) - Albatross, Veronica

AN: New life, new university, new friends…what more could Alaska ask for? Following the end of her relationship with Jinkx, Alaska has decided to pack up and move to a new college…on the other side of the country. Nothing like a bit of space to get over a break up, right? As she settles in for her new life, Alaska must navigate her new surroundings and of course, her new roommates with some very strong personalities of their own. A collab with the amazing @veronicasanders.

All things considered, Alaska was having a pretty decent start to her school year. Sure, the first couple of days had been difficult. And sure, she still had times when she just wanted to crawl under her covers and block out the entire world. But she thought she was adjusting quite well, otherwise.

When she first met Bianca, she was completely thrown by her particular brand of in-your-face, abrasive humor. But over the next few weeks, she began to see Bianca for who she really was – consistent, reliable, organized to the point of compulsiveness, and (though Bianca would never admit it), genuinely caring. She was the one who brought home orange juice and medicine when Alaska got a cold. She was the one who kept the liquor cabinet stocked and the kitchen clean and made a schedule for the bathroom on busy mornings to keep them all from losing their minds.

Alaska had to admit, also, that they had a bit more in common than she first assumed. Even more than the fact that they were both gay transfer students who sometimes felt out of place. They could both appear a little judgey and uptight. But once they trusted you, both of them were ride-or-die loyal. And both, with just a little arm-twisting, could be persuaded to really cut loose, having no problem keeping up with their life-of-the-party roommates.

Alaska had written Courtney off that first day as a vapid, overly familiar busybody. The type of person who sailed through life with a pretty face and shallow charm. But quickly, she realized that Courtney’s sometimes endless questions were just a sign of genuine interest in other people, a desire to get deep – maybe a little too quickly for Alaska’s comfort, but certainly with the best of intentions. Her bubbly personality, rather than annoying Alaska, soon became endearing, and Alaska found herself looking forward to their chats, to getting recaps of her favorite lectures and even to opening up.

And then there was Willam. Alaska still hadn’t quite figured Willam out. She liked her; she knew that much, but she remained a bit of an enigma. For starters, Willam never seemed to crack a book. While the rest of them would be stressing over papers and exams, Willam would be out shopping, partying late into the night and then up at the crack of dawn to go to the gym. Of the four of them, Willam seemed to be the only one who regularly brought home any overnight guests. (As far as Alaska could tell, Bianca’s liaisons were discreet and off-campus. And Courtney, despite being the most flirtatious person Alaska had ever met, seemed to keep her romantic adventures limited to above-the-waist making out at parties.) More than once, Alaska had stumbled out of bed in the morning to find a “friend” of Willam’s being entertained in the kitchen. Usually by Courtney, with Bianca offering them coffee and a complimentary STD test. As for Ms. Belli herself? She’d be at the gym or the mall, content to let her forgotten tryst fend for themselves.

And that was the other thing. So far, every one of her one-night-stands was with a boy. Which was fine, and Alaska was usually the last person to judge someone’s romantic choices. However, Willam had been pretty clear about being bi, so it made Alaska wonder. Why only guys? Was she actually attracted to girls, more than just in theory? And if so…what kind of girl would she like? Alaska tried not to dwell on all the questions, especially the last one, but it was hard. Willam was just such a mystery. One she found more intriguing than any others.

But in spite of that, and the elusive weirdness of how Willam earned her money (thankfully, Alaska still didn’t have more details on that), there was something truly compelling about her. Her wicked sense of humor, her surprisingly soft heart, her ability to make any and every situation fun.

Although occasionally, her need for fun got a bit out of control. Like tonight. Alaska and Courtney were sitting in the living room studying when Willam waltzed in with a healthy buzz and a man on each arm. Tall, dark, identical men, like a pair of Ken dolls.

“Jeremy, that’s Courtney. She’s the one I told you about,” Willam said, then added in a stage whisper, “No gag reflex.”

“Hey Bill,” Courtney said with a wary smile. “What’s going on?”

“Not much. I just thought you’d like my friend Jeremy here. He’s got a nice dick.”

“You haven’t seen my dick,” Jeremy laughed.

“No, but you guys are twins, right?” Willam smirked, then turned back to Courtney, saying, “It’s real nice, trust me.”

“Good to know,” Courtney said, voice just slightly clipped. She might have had a tense, polite smile on her face but Alaska could easily spot the growing irritation in her eyes.

“I think that’s my cue to leave,” Alaska muttered, gathering up her things. Time to go hide in her bedroom, she figured. Hell, she’d almost rather study in the dorm’s parking lot than stay in the living room for whatever this was.

“You sure?” asked the Not-Jeremy Twin with a wink. “You don’t wanna stay and party?”

“She’s a lesbian,” Willam informed him. “But Lask, if you’re curious-”

“Uh, no thanks. Have fun, kids.” Alaska saluted and hightailed it into her bedroom, shutting and locking the door firmly behind her.

As soon as she had dumped her belongings on her bed, she dug out her headphones and blasted some music in preparation for what she’d likely be hearing later on. The only thing she had wished she’d remembered was to grab a snack from the kitchen. Likely Willam and Courtney would be busy entertaining for the next few hours and the last thing she wanted to do was walk in on something. Especially given how loud she’s already heard Willam being from time to time, even when knowing one of her roommates was still around.

Oh, well. It was only a few hours. Could be worse, she figured. Now to figure out what playlist to use this time.

*******

Hours later, Willam emerged from the bedroom, yawning, hair a mess, expecting to find Courtney and Jeremy on the sofa. Instead, her roommate was curled up beside Bianca with a huge bowl of popcorn, watching some bullshit on Netflix.

A bit miffed, Willam marched around the side of the couch in front of the pair of giggling women and put her hands on her hips. “Uh…hello?” she asked, annoyance tinting her voice.

“Hey,” Courtney replied, neck craning to keep her eyes on the TV.

“Where’s Jeremy?” Willam demanded impatiently.

“Gone,” Courtney replied simply and with a pleasant smile to boot.

“Yeah, I see that. What the fuck, Courtney? You were supposed to keep him entertained!” Willam was getting even more irritated at the way Courtney practically ignored her.

“Yeah, well, for some reason, he was under the impression that I was gonna blow him, so things got real awkward real fast.”

Bianca snickered in the background, then noticed Willam’s angry glare and looked away quickly, shoving some popcorn into her mouth. Still a grin was still present on her lips as she undoubtedly listened with bated breath for what would happen next.

Willam stepped closer towards, arms crossed and asked, “So why didn’t you just blow him?”

Courtney rolled her eyes and said irritably, “I’m not gonna suck a dick just because you tell me to.”

“You should be thanking me!” Willam exclaimed. “You haven’t gotten laid all semester and he was hot. I was doing you a favor.”

“Thanks, Bill. You’re so generous,” Courtney said, voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Whatever, you’re such a baby!” Willam flounced from the room, beyond annoyed and not wanting to look at Courtney’s stupid face anymore. She just didn’t understand how Courtney could turn down such a hot piece of ass (who was clearly up for anything) in order to just laze around on the couch with Bianca! She thought Courtney would be grateful to her for bringing home such an easy score. God, the nerve of her sending him off! She could have at least given him back to Willam.

******

“Hey…” Alaska nodded to Willam as she approached the coffee maker. She’d obviously just come home from the gym, and per usual, hadn’t gone straight for a shower. Instead, she was sitting at the table, sipping some hideous-smelling vanilla protein shake.

“Morning,” Willam replied.

Alaska poured a generous mug of coffee, blowing on it softly while she leaned against the counter. She looked at Willam again, questions from last night still swirling around in her head.

“You and Courtney still fighting?”

“Huh?” Willam blinked in confusion.

“Bianca said you guys were fighting last night,” Alaska replied slowly and carefully, “Over the whole Jeremy thing?”

Willam’s brow furrowed. “Who’s Jeremy?” she asked, as if she really had no idea who Alaska was talking about.

Alaska’s jaw dropped in amazement. How could Willam not remember this? “The twins!” she exclaimed, “The one you brought home for Courtney?”

“Ohhh.” Willam waved her hand dismissively. “That wasn’t a fight. I just didn’t understand why she’d turn down perfectly good dick. She’s basically been celibate all semester, it’s weird.” Alaska raised an eyebrow, and Willam quickly added, “She doesn’t have a reason, like you.”

“Maybe she just…isn’t interested in dick right now. Even if it’s good,” Alaska offered. Her nails drummed against her coffee mug.

“Pfft. She is, you should have seen her last year. She’s just…I don’t know, punishing herself for something.”

Of course, Alaska had noticed how Courtney hung on Bianca’s every word, laughed gleefully at every joke, eyes sparkling with adoration. She noticed the way Courtney’s touches would linger on Bianca’s skin, the way she leaned into Bianca with every chance, had to force herself to leave Bianca’s side. She thought you’d have to be blind not to notice. And Willam, it appeared, was blind.

“Right. Well…I’m glad you guys are cool.”

“Yeah, we’re always cool,” Willam laughed. “Even when she’s a spoilsport.”

“While we’re on the topic of dick…” Alaska began tentatively, and Willam’s eyes lit up.

“Reconsidering that threesome idea?” she asked. Willam’s stomach flipped in anticipation of the answer.

“Definitely not. No, I was just wondering…” She hesitated, unsure if she really wanted to go down this line of questioning. It was potentially invasive, and she knew that Willam might very well get defensive. Or worse.

“What?”

“Nothing,” Alaska said, wrinkling her nose and taking another sip of her coffee. “It’s probably offensive.”

“I dare you to offend me,” Willam challenged, eyes narrowing slightly, but still shining with joy.

“Well…you’re bi, right?”

“Yeah?”

“I’ve only ever seen you with guys though,” Alaska said carefully.

“So?”

“Well…so…are you sure you’re into girls, too?”

“Wow. You’re right. That is offensive,” Willam deadpanned.  

“I just mean…you know, you talk about dick a lot,” Alaska said. “But I’ve never heard you express any…you know what, it’s none of my business.”

“You’re right, it’s not.” Willam stirred her drink violently, lips pursed.

“Okay then.” Alaska began to back out of the room. “Sorry.”

Willam heaved an aggravated sigh. “Alaska.”

Stopping in her tracks, Alaska replied softly, “Yeah?”

It took a few beats before she answered. Her eyes had dropped to her smoothie, suddenly having lost any desire to finish it. Her stomach felt like it was in knots as she debated letting Alaska see this more vulnerable side of herself. There was a reason she didn’t really like to go on about girls. A very good reason. One she doubted Alaska would truly understand. “I guess I just have a harder time with girls. I don’t really know how to read them. Even flirting sometimes just feels…risky.”

“I can’t imagine you ever having a hard time flirting,” Alaska said, a cautious smile curling at the edges of her lips. She took a few steps closer to Willam and cocked her head to the side as an invitation to continue.

“Well. It’s relative,” Willam began to babble, “I mean, guys are so easy. They’re like…simple, basic, dumb creatures. You know? It doesn’t take much. Usually nothing more than a smile.” She looked up for a second, then back at Alaska, eyes clear and bright. “So I don’t have to work hard, or be intuitive, or sensitive. Women are more complicated than that. And…it’s a lot harder to brush it off if they don’t want me. So…” she trailed off. 

Alaska sat down next to her, saying quietly, “That may be true. But…what if it’s worth it? The extra suffering?”

“Good question. I dunno.” Willam chuckled wryly, shrugging.

“Just some food for thought,” Alaska said, giving her a big smile and quick wink.

******

“Come on, please?” Willam pleaded as she shadowed Courtney around the tiny kitchen space. “For $500? It’s such easy money!”

Briskly preparing her tea, Courtney replied firmly, “I said no, Bill!” Irritation was beginning to creep in at the edges of her voice. But Willam was relentless.

“But you’re not even getting naked.” Willam argued with a heavy sigh, causing Bianca and Alaska, sitting at the kitchen’s island to exchange a look of confusion and curiosity with one another. “Just sitting on your bed, reading. You said you had a lot of reading to do.”

Courtney swirled in a dash of almond milk with her tea, clanging the spoon quite deliberately against the sides. “Yeah, I do! And I need to concentrate,” she stressed, raising the cup to her lips. After taking a shallow sip and deciding she needed one last glug of milk, she huffed out, “I don’t need some gross dude heavy breathing at me while I do it.”

Now things are starting to make more sense, Alaska thought to herself. Bianca shared another expressive look with her and returned back to flipping through the study packet in front of her. Taking that as her cue, Alaska pretended to find something much more interesting on her phone. In truth, however, she was listening in quite acutely and she had a guess Bianca was probably doing the same as well.

Groaning in frustration, Willam pointed out, “He’s not that gross.”

“High praise,” Courtney muttered as she rolled her eyes and returned the milk back to the fridge.

Willam watched in bewilderment as Courtney settled in at the island with their roommates. How could Courtney refuse such easy money? It was literally getting paid to just sit somewhere and go about her business.

But she needed Courtney for this appointment! She had her eye on a pair of new Louboutin heels that were supposed to be released in the next month or so and she had to get her preorder in now! They always ran out of her size by the time they actually hit the shelf and who knew how long it would be before they were restocked?

This one appointment, if all went well, would be the last chunk of change she needed in order to confirm her preorder. This client had been a long standing one, scheduling regular sessions every few weeks, especially if Willam could entice another cute co-ed to join her, even if it was just in the background. And when she saw him reaching out at the most absolutely perfect moment, Willam immediately offered pull in a second person. 

Normally, Willam would have simply reached out to Tatianna, a flirty sophomore she met last year at some frat party. Tatianna never had an issue joining Willam’s appointments for a cut of the action and was always up for a quick make out session, on or off camera. She was absolutely perfect for this client but as Willam soon discovered, she was working off-campus today with absolutely no chance to get back in time for the appointment. Even Willam’s second, third, and fourth choice all had plans or simply weren’t interested.

Fuck!

But maybe…she might be able to entice a certain roommate of hers…she hoped.

However, Willam could see that Courtney was absolutely not going for it. Wincing to herself as she made this decision, she offered, “Fine, a thousand.” Good bye, matching sunglasses.

“No!” Courtney squealed out. God, Willam was persistent today. But even Alaska had choked a little as she heard the amount.

Perking back up, (and confirming Alaska’s suspicions she’d been listening with bated breath), Bianca was baffled, “You’re turning down a thousand dollars?”

“Would you do it?” Courtney countered, staring at her with a pointed look in her eyes.

Not even having to think twice, Bianca answered, “Hell yeah.” Turning back to Willam as she gathered up her text book, study packet, phone and pen, she asked, “Right now?”

Seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, Willam’s beaming smile returned and offered up a high five, “Alright, B!” She stuck her tongue out at Courtney for good measure.

Nose wrinkling, Courtney asked with disbelief, “You’re really gonna let some disgusting mouth breather watch you study just to make a few bucks?”

“It’s a thousand dollars,” Bianca pointed out as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. And really, wasn’t it?

Even Alaska had to admit she had not seen this coming. She’d given up all pretext of staring at her phone in order to watch this exchange instead.

But before Bianca could scamper off with her things, Willam piped up with, “Whoa, whoa, whoa…I said I could get her a thousand dollars. I don’t have an offer for you yet.”

Bianca opened her mouth in indignation to begin arguing but Courtney cut her off with a very confused, “She should get more than me. Her tits are bigger.” 

“That’s not exactly how the pricing works,” Willam laughed out. If only Courtney knew the half of it, she thought to herself.

Drumming the fingers of her free hand against the counter, a smooth, rhythmic clicking sound filling the kitchen, Bianca remained thoughtful for a moment before asking, “So how much would I get?”

Even Alaska was curious about the answer. “Probably at least five hundred,” Willam shrugged before unlocking her phone. “Gimme a minute.”

How does that conversation even go? Alaska wondered. But then her thoughts drifted back to Willam’s entire business venture. How did Willam find her appointments, book them…talk to her, um,… clientele. 

Maybe some day she’d ask about that. Maybe even what, ahem, “services” she offered. Willam would probably be more than happy to tell her but somewhere deep in the pit of Alaska’s stomach, a twisting winding knot was starting to form. It often happened when her thoughts trailed towards questioning Willam’s side job and she learned pretty quickly just to let it drop after that. The twisting wasn’t exactly unpleasant but it was more than weird and Alaska just didn’t have the energy most of the time to figure out why.

As she thought about this, Bianca scurried over to Willam, looking over her shoulder and down at her phone. “I’ll do it for a thousand,” she said, trying to read Willam’s tiny ass messages running across her screen, “Why can’t I get a thousand?”

“Well, she’s blonde and she looks 16,” Willam replied simply as she messaged her client and answered his questions. 

Courtney let out an emphatic groan of disgust, “Gross!”

Bianca’s eyes narrowed at the implication Willam was trying to make. Pursing her lips, she asked testily, “Are you saying I’m too old to be a cam girl?”

“No!” Willam said all too quickly, head popping back up. “It’s just…you know, you look…like…early 20s?” There was a slightly apologetic tone to her voice that Bianca didn’t care for.

Annoyance creeped into her answer as she stated, “I am early 20s.”

“Right.”

“Rude,” she huffed out. “I could totally be a cam girl if I wanted to.”

“Of course you could, dearheart.” 

“Fuck you,” Bianca grumbled. “Bet I’d make a better one than you .”

“Look, just chill out, okay?” Willam muttered. Not her best attempt at smoothing things over but that was alright. “I can get you…750? But only if we kiss,” she quickly added in.

Bianca went thoughtful and silent for a few moments, mulling over her options. Courtney and Alaska watched her carefully while Willam returned to typing away on her phone. What’s she gonna do? Alaska mused. Seems like she’s really thinking about it.

Courtney looked to be holding her breath as well but her expression was a bit difficult to decipher. Cloudy, certainly, but not angry. No…maybe even- 

Finally, Bianca broke her silence to ask consideringly, “Would I get the money today?”

“Bianca!” Courtney gasped out.

Ignoring her, Willam answered in her most professional-sounding voice, “Yeah, they send it by Paypal.”

“Okay,” Bianca decided, “but I want the money first.”

“Fine,” Willam muttered, tapping away at her phone again, “Jesus.”

Bianca waltzed off with her belongings towards Willam and Courtney’s bedroom, smirk on her face and lazy thoughts of what she’ll do with the money, but Willam’s voice quickly interrupted her as she called out a strong suggestion of ‘prettying herself up a little’. “They love to think we just lounge around looking perfect all the time, waiting for them to call.”

“Ugh,” Bianca groaned, “This is turning into work.”

“Welcome to my life, bitch!”

******

Two hours later the women emerged from the Willam’s bedroom, laughing their asses off. Bianca was even wiping away the traces of a tear from her eye as they wandered into the living room. Both Courtney and Alaska looked up at them; Courtney from her text book and Alaska from her laptop where she may or may not have been streaming a podcast instead of reviewing her class notes.

“Appointment went well, I’m guessing?” Courtney spoke with a hint of suspicion in her tone. Or was that bitterness, Alaska wondered.

“Definitely,” Bianca assured her with a laugh.

Willam grinned as well and added in smugly, “Told you it was easy money.”

“Now I know why you do it,” Bianca quipped, resting against the arm of the couch nearest Courtney, addressing both of her roommates. “And I already checked; money’s in my account. $850, ” she boasted proudly. “He even tipped, the sleazy little sweetheart.” Then elbowing Courtney lightly in the side, she said with a smirk, “Betcha regret skipping out now, huh?”

“And having to kiss Willam for it?” she replied, her ears beginning to heat up. “Hard pass. I regret nothing.”

Bianca and Willam shared a brief look with one another and broke out laughing once again. Now feeling her cheeks beginning to grow warm, Courtney huffed out, “What? Didn’t you do it? Or was it just a stage kiss, like where you kiss your thumbs?”

At this, the women laughed even harder. Bianca even clutched onto the fabric of the couch as she tried to remain upright. Courtney’s eyes shot over to Alaska but even she had no clue what was so funny. All she could offer up was a very confused shrug after pulling out her ear buds.

“Care to let us in on the joke?” Alaska asked, her voice managing to sound both curious yet uninterested at the same time.

A teasing glint rose to Bianca’s eyes as they narrowed in on Courtney. Her voice was sweet and mocking as she leaned down and cooed, “Why don’t I just show you what we did?”

Courtney’s mind began to short circuit as a myriad of questions ran rampant through her thoughts. Was Bianca going to kiss her? Did she and Willam actually kiss? What did she mean by ‘show her’? Wait, was Bianca leaning in closer?

Every little detail felt like it was magnified by 100 as Bianca’s face slowly crept closer to hers. Then in an instant Bianca was on her feet again, one hand buried deep in Willam’s wavy hair while the other gently tilted her chin up and guided her lips towards Bianca’s. Willam’s own hands were gripping onto Bianca’s hips and pulling her in tight as they closed what little gap remained between them. Almost as soon as their lips touched, a low, drawn out moan echoed deep in Willam’s throat. The hand in Willam’s hair retreated, pulling a few strands along with it, as Bianca moved to carefully cup Willam’s cheek, stroking the skin softly with the pad of her thumb. Her other hand dropped to the curve of Willam’s back and kept her neatly in place; pressed tight against Bianca. Courtney had enough time to witness the subtle flexing of Willam’s fingers before a flurry of emotion swept through her.

All at once it was like a tidal wave had crashed over her as she sat dumbstruck on the couch watching their little show. Each emotion felt like it was clawing its way up through her stomach, trying to make itself known, only to be pulled back down again by another before Courtney could truly figure out what she was feeling. She was just beginning to recognize the growing sense of jealousy when her roommates broke apart, giggling like mad. Even Alaska didn’t seem much better off, her lips slightly parted in shock as she watched Willam and Bianca. She felt a strange burning in her chest. No, not exactly a burn but something heating up, overheating, twisting and knotting, feeling heavy and unmoveable.

“Definitely not stage kiss,” Bianca commented with a little wink for good measure as her hands finally withdrew from Willam’s body.

An awkward laugh escaped from Alaska as she noted, “Good job. Looked pretty real.”

“Thanks,” Bianca chuckled, smoothing out the hem of her shirt before settling in on the couch between Alaska and Courtney. “I’m a great actor, what can I say?” she added in dramatically before her giggling got the best of her. “But really, I did do a little theater work in high school.”

“Don’t recall any high school plays calling for that, ” Courtney remarked stonily.

Bianca rounded on her with a curious expression, as if trying to will Courtney to explain a little more. Even Willam raised a brow at her while she made herself comfortable in the recliner. But as Coutney’s gaze travelled from one pair of eyes to the next, she found herself withdrawing under the scrutiny. A strange sense of irritation was beginning to build in the back of her mind and was certainly not helped when Bianca mocked her with, “Something you wanna say, sweetheart?”

“No,” she grumbled all too quickly, then thinking better of it added in, “I just don’t remember any of my high school plays calling for something that…provocative.”

“‘Provocative’?” Willam repeated in that seal-laugh voice of hers. “The fuck do you mean, ‘provocative’?”

“I just-I don’t see any kissing like that in you know, Grease or Wicked or Our Town-”

“All straight couples,” Willam pointed out in a perfectly demeaning and mocking manner. “I see how it is. I’m sorry our rampant lesbianism offended your sheltered, innocent eyes.”

“Wow, Court,” Bianca added in, dramatically feigning a tone of surprise. “Didn’t take you to be such a prude.”

“I’m not!” Courtney interrupted, high voice climbing in pitch.

Willam pretended not to hear her and directed another “innocent” suggestion to Bianca, “Maybe she really is just homophobic?”

“I am not homophobic!” Courtney protested in a loud squeal. Alaska could see her becoming more and more frazzled but she was still trying her best to sound calm and level-headed.

She might have succeeded had Bianca not piled on with an incredibly disappointed, “Damn, Courtney. Homophobia in this day and age? I gotta say, I expected more from you.”

“Mh-mm,” Willam agreed with a nod of her head. “Cancelled!” she noted in a singsongy voice. 

Alaska picked up on the little smirks on each of the women’s lips but all of it went over Courtney’s head. She simply let out an angry huff and crossed her arms over her chest. “Whatever,” she grumbled moodily, “If you guys wanna be porno actors, go-”

“Oh!” Bianca interrupted with a scandalized gasp. Turning back to Willam with wide, appalled eyes, she said, “Did you hear that? She’s attacking sex workers now!”

“Double cancelled,” Willam stated all too seriously. “Very disappointing.”

Shaking her head sadly, Bianca continued to mock Courtney with a sugary sweet, “You wanna go for a triple? Say something about women of color, too?”

It was here Courtney completely lost it. She sputtered out protest after protest, or rather that was what Alaska imagined those stuttered, half choked off words to be. Courtney didn’t seem to know where to begin, what to say, anything really to defend herself. It was as if her brain had short circuited and every time a thought appeared that she tried to vocalize, in just another second, it would disappear without a trace and she’d have to start again.

Willam and Bianca found the whole thing to be hilarious; they were now outright laughing at her frustration as she tried to speak. Alaska however felt a sense of pity…and just a hint of irritation. Her stomach had grown uneasy as the teasing had built up and now it was just downright annoying. They just didn’t know when to stop and poor Courtney looked like she was nearing tears as she tried to explain herself.

“That’s enough,” Alaska interrupted through the loud laughter. Her voice was steady and clear. Polite yet firm. Leaning past Bianca, she placed a comforting hand on Courtney’s knee and assured her, “We know you’re not homophobic, Court. They just don’t know where to draw the line.”

She cast a pointed look towards both Willam and Bianca. The latter actually received quite a withering glare. Willam might be used to teasing Courtney like this but Bianca really ought to know better, Alaska reasoned.

Before withdrawing back to her seat, she offered a reassuring smile to Courtney. To her relief, Courtney didn’t seem as overwhelmed any more. She was able to return the gesture with a shaky smile of her own but she didn’t seem to trust herself to speak just yet.

Alaska’s glare seemed to have some kind of effect on Bianca, thankfully. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat then offered up a small apology to her roommate.

“It’s fine,” Courtney replied blankly, picking up her textbook again and trying to find where she last left off.

Alaska tried sending another glare down Willam’s way but she only rolled her eyes and pulled out her phone. Alaska gave a heavy sigh and shook her head. Lost cause, she figured. But to her surprise, only a second or two after she turned her attention back to her laptop, she heard Willam saying in a shocking bout of sincerity, “Sorry, Court.”

It was reluctant, that much was clear in her voice, but she meant it. Courtney seemed equally as surprised by the apology as Alaska was. Her acceptance sounded rather stunned and amazed, if a bit cautious still. 

When Alaska glanced back towards Willam, she found her roommate staring at her with an odd expression. It was difficult to decipher but it almost looked…embarrassed? No, not quite that. Not ashamed, either.

Contrite.

That’s what it was.

Alaska had actually managed to make her feel guilty for teasing Courtney. A feat that seemed almost impossible to the both of them. And yet here it was.

Willam’s eyes darted away for a moment but once they returned to watch Alaska, the latter gave her roommate an approving nod of her head before returning to her business. If Courtney would accept her apology, then so would Alaska. Though she couldn’t deny there was still some queasiness in her stomach…especially when her thoughts trailed back to Willam and Bianca’s kiss.

But those thoughts didn’t belong in Alaska’s head. Instead she forced herself to think about other things. It didn’t sound as if Courtney had completely forgiven Bianca yet. They actually remained quiet towards one another for another hour, even after Willam turned on the TV and traded loud, sarcastic commentary with everyone else.

But by late afternoon, when Courtney had gotten up to retrieve another drink from the kitchen and Bianca followed, Alaska had the chance to witness their true reconciliation. She was a bit suspicious that Bianca had followed so closely behind but she noticed that again, Willam seemed blind to it. She was so focused on the trashy reality show on the TV, Alaska doubted that even realized anyone had left the couch.

Craning her neck, Alaska was able to subtly watch her roommates talking in the kitchen. She couldn’t hear them but she had a guess as to what they were saying. Bianca looked truly apologetic, even a little upset herself, while Courtney’s gaze was focused solely on her drink. Her eyes seemed a bit sad and dull to Alaska.

She watched anxiously as Courtney lifted her gaze to look Bianca dead in the eyes. Then those magic words played out on Bianca’s lips; “I’m sorry.”

Alaska didn’t need to hear them to know that was what she said nor that she truly meant it. There was a tense pause…then a slow, bittersweet smile rose to Courtney’s lips. She nodded her head just so and said something back that set Bianca’s nerves at ease. Bianca visibly relaxed at what she had heard and pulled Courtney in for a hug. As it was returned, Alaska would swear she saw Bianca’s lips moving once again but what she could be saying, Alaska could only speculate.

Shifting back to the TV, Alaska tuned in again just in time to hear another one of Willam’s hilarious, if slightly ridiculous,  commentaries. She laughed along with Willam, returned a jab of her own at the played up drama, and let herself relax with the newly restored peace.

******

The fear of midterms were now looming on the horizon…well, it was still like a month away but as Alaska found out all too dramatically freshman year, these kinds of things have a way of sneaking up on you. If you weren’t careful that is. 

Bianca was careful. Alaska was careful. Hell, even Courtney was somewhat careful. Willam though…

Alaska had yet to see her crack open a textbook for more than 10 minutes. Often she’d just pull one aside, sometimes open, sometimes not, and leaned over it with her phone in hand. She probably spent more time posting about studying than actually participating in it.

That frustrated Alaska. By now she knew all too well that Willam still had not chosen a major yet. She seemed to feel no pressure to pick out any particular field of study, or even just to study. Her grades seemed decent enough…so what was the problem?

She knew it wasn’t any of her business but she felt some concern for her friend. She wanted Willam to do well. She knew she could, if she had the right motivation. That was why Alaska kept reminding her about midterms, hoping she’d take the hint and finally look at her textbooks. But Willam’s only response was a carefree shrug, maybe a small noise of acknowledgement, and then she’d go right back to staring at her screen. 

All of this would cause Alaska to groan in frustration but she wasn’t ready to give up just yet. She kept reminding Willam of the upcoming exams and finally Willam agreed to accompany Alaska to the library. Unsurprisingly, however, she failed to bring a single book or a laptop with her.

While Alaska diligently took notes from her psychology textbook, Willam scrolled through Instagram, chuckling to herself and trying to find the best light for selfies.

Well, at least she got Willam through the door. That was some kind of progress, right?

After about two hours or so of being bent over her textbook, Alaska stood up to stretch, and Willam immediately perked up. “You done?” she asked gleefully, “Wanna go out? It’s two for one margarita night at Twist.”

Alaska shook her head, chuckling.

“I don’t think midweek margaritas are the best choice for me,” she said. As Willam’s expression fell into a pout, she added, “But I could go for some coffee. Wanna walk over to the café?”

“Yeah, I guess that’ll do,” Willam said, standing up and helping her gather her things.

By the time they finally sat down at the cafe with their lattes, Willam was practically dancing in her seat.

“Have you checked Instagram?” she asked giddily, blue eyes sparkling.

“Oh god, what have you posted?” Alaska asked, picking up her phone. She opened Willam’s story, and soon found herself scrolling through multiple selfies, followed by an elaborate, goofy stop motion story of two of her own highlighters going camping under a dictionary. The second to last frame was a shot of Alaska herself looking up from her notes.

‘You’re not taking a picture of me, are you?’ she asked, head tilted. An animated crown gif sat atop her head, the foreground filled with fat adorable bunnies rolling around.

‘Of course not!’ Willam said.

The last shot was Willam, flipping the camera back to herself and giving a mischievous, lopsided grin.

“You’re so dumb,” Alaska laughed, shaking her head.

“So, you liked it?” Willam asked, smile spreading across her face.  

“Yeah, very creative,” Alaska said. 

Willam was beaming by now. A perfectly happy smile that even reached her eyes. It was cute, Alaska realized, Willam was cute. Impulsively, she then leaned forward and planted a kiss on Willam’s mouth. Her finger tucked itself under Willam’s chin for just a moment before pulling back.

The first thing she saw was Willam’s comically widened eyes; she was in a state of complete shock. “What…what do you…I-” she stammered, and Alaska giggled.

“Calm down,” she assured her roommate, “I’m not asking you to marry me.”

Willam let out a braying laugh at that. “Touché, bitch.”

With that goofy grin back on her lips, she leant in for a kiss of her own. Each could feel the other smiling into the kiss. Willam could’ve sworn she must have been drunk or fallen asleep back in the library in order for this to make sense. But every brush of Alaska’s fingertips across her bare arm or the feel of the material of Alaska’s skirt in her hand as it traveled up her thigh told her it was no dream.

Pulling away, just enough to speak, she suggested in a low voice, “Car?”

Alaska’s nod was immediate and in seconds they had grabbed all that they brought and were rushing back to the parking lot. They had the small presence of mind to relocate to the back of the lot, far away from where most cars would usually park, but following that, there was hardly a rational thought left between them. The hook up was messy and quick, neither of them getting any more undressed than necessary. Part of it was fear of being spotted, most of it was simply impatience.

It took very little for either of them to get worked up. Between the frantic, sloppy kisses, the desperate pawing to remove just some of their clothes, and the drunken high of just being able to touch one another…it was all over much too quickly. Their hair and clothes were in an absolute state by the time they managed to separate themselves enough to realize what they had done.

“That…” Alaska began, “That was something.”

“Yeah,” Willam agreed vacantly. Her mind felt elsewhere. She knew there were things to ask, things to be discussed but it was so hard to think right now. Not just because of the after-sex buzz but also because she truly and genuinely happy right now. She didn’t want to shatter that illusion, not yet.

“I had no idea how much I needed that.”

Willam let out a huff of a laugh. “Really?” Alaska nodded. Her lips curled into an almost self-conscious grin. It was kind of adorable, Willam had to admit. Scratching the back of her head, she commented airily, “Well, anytime.”

Alaska’s eyes lit up with cautious consideration. “Yeah?” she inquired.

There was a loaded pause. Willam could hear the blood pounding in her ears. As much as she tried to ignore it, something in her felt giddy and overexcited. She wouldn’t have thought Alaska would consider this to be more than a one time thing and yet…just maybe…“Yeah,” she finally confirmed, keeping her voice level and steady.

That seemed to be all there was to say for the longest time. Each was slowly coming down from their high and trying to sort out the mess that was their hair and makeup. Or at least Alaska was. Willam still felt in too much of a daze to care at this point. 

She remained lost in her thoughts until Alaska ventured, “We…Should we tell the others about this?”

“No-Yes! I mean…eventually, yeah, we have to but for right now, maybe just-”

“Our little secret?” Alaska proposed with a sly grin.

“Definitely,” Willam agreed with relief in her voice, glad to be on the same page. She really wasn’t sure how she could even explain this to their roommates. But that was a problem for another day.

She figured that’d be the end of this, at least for now, but Alaska managed to completely shock her by saying, “I really don’t want this to be the only time though. Is that okay?”

Willam’s heart was racing. She looked at Alaska long and hard trying to find any trace of this being a joke. She couldn’t get her hopes up like only to have them dashed away. But Alaska looked sincere, honest…She really wanted this…As casually as she could, Willam forced out, “Um, sure. Whenever.”

The smile she received shot straight through her soul. She was absolutely fucked and she knew it.

#rpdr fanfiction #willaska #bitney #alaska thunderfuck #willam belli #courtney act #bianca del rio #college au #lesbian au #fluff #angst #eventual smut #eventual romance #friends to lovers #very light smut (finally) #no strings attached #just friends #albatross #veronica #submission

[artificialqueens]

No Strings Attached, Chapter 1 (Willaska, Bitney) - Albatross, Veronica

AN: New life, new university, new friends…what more could Alaska ask for? Following the end of her relationship with Jinkx, Alaska has decided to pack up and move to a new college…on the other side of the country. Nothing like a bit of space to get over a break up, right? As she settles in for her new life, Alaska must navigate her new surroundings and of course, her new roommates with some very strong personalities of their own. A collab with the amazingly patient VeronicaSanders. This series is going to have two separate stories. The Willaska chapters will be labeled 'No Strings Attached' and the Bitney chapters will be labeled 'Off Limits,' and both will be labeled with the series tag, 'Just Friends.'

Here’s to a new life, Alaska thought as she paused in front of her new dorm building. It was simple, modern-looking, but it felt like so much more than that. Here she could start over and forget about the mess she left behind after her last semester of classes. The crying, the loaded silence…the isolation.

No, she argued, shaking her head before resuming her path up to the open doors, I am not going to think about that now. I am not going to ruin today.

The lobby was huge and busy. Tables were lined up, only three, surprisingly, by last name and absolutely crowded with people waiting to receive their room assignment and key. Already most of the staff looked fairly put on. At least four of them were running around, shouting directions, asking for updates and trying to answer students’ questions all at once. It was chaos…and Alaska was absolutely excited by it.

As she took her place in the queue, she pulled her two suitcases in as tightly as possible. All too easily she could see someone tripping over them and hurting themselves…or making a mess of all the new clothes she bought just for this semester. She was trying to reinvent herself. That’s what people normally do after an exhausting breakup, right? Perhaps not move across the country but they treat themselves. She went the whole nine yards; new clothes, new hair, new school. And if she had to say…she thought she looked pretty damn good. The blonde suited her and while the clothes would still take some getting used to; they were cute. She could definitely follow through with this.

Steadily the line began to move forward. Staring out at the crowd in the meantime, Alaska watched frenzied students in amusement. Some were frazzled, others content and relaxed, some dead tired and one or two…hungover? Typical college students, Alaska noted with a smile.

“Hey!” someone shouted in irritation.

That caught Alaska’s attention. It wasn’t hard to figure out what had happened; the one who cried out had just had her foot run over by the luggage being dragged by the newest arrival. Some flashy girl in a shimmery dress and the shortest hemline Alaska had even seen off anything that wasn’t considered lingerie, on Move-In day!

“Yeah, sorry,” she replied back, not even turning around. Doubtful.

She was something, Alaska observed with a disdainful look. Honey-colored locks tussled into messy, beachy waves, fell across her tanned shoulders as she briskly cut through the crowd towards one of the check in tables. With every movement you could see the subtle toning of her legs and ass, all highlighted by the skimpy garment and skyhigh heels that seemed to walk on air. She was the kind of girl used to getting what she wanted, when she wanted it, and with no hassle. This was obvious in the way she marched straight up to one of the volunteers and introduced herself, “Hi, I’m Willam Belli. I’m in 414, can I please get my keys?”

The woman looked at her as incredulously as Alaska would have. But clearly she had more patience than most as she calmly pointed out, “Miss, there’s a line.”

This girl-Willam-glanced back at the queue beside her and replied, “Oh, I know. But these guys don’t mind, do you?” A wink was sent in the direction of some of the closest guys, jocks of course, and immediately Alaska knew that Willam had won. They all folded so easily and conceded their place in line to her. Turning back to the volunteer with a triumphant, smug little grin, she repeated, “Willam Belli. In 414.”

What a fucking psycho, Alaska thought to herself as she watched the scene played out, Lord help her roommates.

Having received her key, Willam spun herself around to go lay claim to her dorm room. She was almost out of sight and out of Alaska’s mind when a high-pitched squeal cut through the crowd.

“Bill!” came the excited call.

The owner of the voice was an ecstatically grinning little blonde girl practically bouncing on her heels as she raced through the lobby. Her eyes were crinkled with pure joy and her smile was warm enough to melt ice. Probably running after her boyfriend - oh, wait. Not quite, Alaska soon found out. 

Much to Alaska’s, and most everyone else’s, shock, this girl dove straight into the arms of Willam, damn near knocking her over in the process. “Courtney, you bitch, this is fucking Prada!” despite the intent of feigning irritation, even Willam couldn’t hold back a wide toothy grin of her own. She settled for impatiently smoothing out her dress as Courtney fluttered her lashes and simpered, “I’m sorry, I just missed you. It was so boring here, spending the whole summer without you!”

Aussie…cute.

Willam laughed at this, pinching Courtney’s sides until a happy little squeal escaped her. “Have the other cunts arrived yet?” She asked, grasping the handle of one of her two suitcases.

“Nope,” Courtney beamed back, sticking her tongue out for just a moment. “You’re the first cunt.”

“Thank god. Now we can get settled and leave the other room for them.” Rolling her eyes, she added in, “I hope they aren’t boring assholes like last semester.”

“Omigod Bill, stop,” Courtney giggled, then glanced over to the pair of suitcases next to Willam. “Is this everything you’ve got?”

“Ha! You wish. My car is crammed full. Actually, make yourself useful and go grab some shit.” She tossed her keys to Courtney and grabbed the other suitcase, throwing in a casual, “Car’s out front. One of those spaces with the little blue sign.”

Of course she’d park in a handicapped spot, Alaska groaned to herself.

Even Courtney was not as forgiving of that action. “Bill,” she scolded.

“I’ll move it later,” Willam promised with an airy smile. “Everything else was just too far!”

“You’re the worst. Absolute worst ,” Courtney shot back with a grin. Pressing a sloppy kiss to Willam’s cheek, she said, “Good thing I love you though.”

With that the pair separated and by then Alaska was fourth in line. She shook her head as she tried to push those two far from her mind. Nothing she needed to worry about now, she told herself. With any luck, her new roommates would be quiet or at the very least, fucking sane.

After a few more minutes, Alaska was handed her key but as she looked at the accompanying card her heart sank to the pit of her stomach. 414.

Fuck!

******

“You serious about these curtains, Bill?” Courtney asked, one eyebrow raised, holding up the fuschia sequined curtains that she’d found on South Street. She looked at them doubtfully then handed them back to their owner. They were deliciously tacky and Willam absolutely adored them.

“Yes!” Willam argued, unable to believe Courtney couldn’t see how absolutely perfect they were for their room. “They’re amazing.”

“Sure…” Courtney laughed, continuing to help her unpack.

“Listen, just because you have no creativity or sense of fun-”

“Excuse you, I am plenty creative, you wanker! It’s just that some people like their bedrooms, where they sleep, to be, you know, soothing .”

“And you’re totally entitled to your boring opinions. But I-” Willam stopped abruptly as a figure rushed past by their propped open door. “Uh, hello! May we help you?”

Willam swore she heard a sigh before the girl appeared again. Tall, platinum blonde, a slender, willowy body to die for - which appeared to be news to her by the way she slouched, face almost totally obscured by giant sunglasses.

“Hi, I’m assigned to this apartment,” she droned flatly.

“And you were just planning to creep in without saying ‘hi’?” Willam challenged, delighted when her pale cheeks reddened slightly. A faint smile was curling on the edges of her lips as she added in, “That’s nice.”

“Omigod, Bill, shut up!” Courtney exclaimed, elbowing her in the ribs before bounding towards the door and pulling the new girl into a hug. “Hi, I’m Courtney. That’s Willam. You can ignore pretty much everything she says.”

Trying to politely weasel her way out of the unwanted hug, the new girl replied, “Um, hi. I’m Alaska.”

“Alaska! What a cool name! Is that where you’re from?” Courtney’s eyes shone with genuine, well-meaning curiosity while Willam’s gave a dramatic roll. Not that she really expected anything less from Courtney but the whole Nice Girl routine got to be real tiresome, real fast, especially when it was with everyone she met.

Alaska’s nose scrunched up a little as she answered, “No, I’m from a little town in Pennsylvania-”

“Really!? So’s Bill! What a small world.”

“Philly isn’t a small town, dipshit,” Willam grumbled.

Finally a smile began to form as Alaska stifled a laugh, adding in politely, “Nice to meet you guys. I’m just gonna go put my things down…”

“Yeah, of course!” Courtney said eagerly, “We’re gonna head to the quad for some lunch in a bit, will you join us?”

Alaska paused, thinking it over for a moment, then mumbled out a non-committal, “Oh. Yeah, maybe.”

“Courtney, when you’re done licking Alaska’s asshole, I could really use a hand with these suitcases,” Willam said, a hand on her hip. She was starting to feel antsy.

“Yes, your majesty.” Courtney stuck her tongue out at Willam, then turned back to Alaska to add, “You should really come! We can show you around and get to know each other.”

“Sounds great.”

Hard to believe that was sincere, Willam thought.

*******

Somehow Courtney managed to convince Alaska to join them and she ended up having a better time at lunch than she thought. The food certainly helped but she still was struggling with her growing sour mood. She was starting to have second thoughts about coming here, wondering if her move was really the right decision. It all seemed so busy and crowded here but she tried to tell herself that it was just because it was Move-In Day. Once classes start and everyone gets into their own routine, it’ll be quieter and more spacious …she hoped.

Willam and Courtney chatted away easily enough but they already knew each other from previous semesters. They tried to include Alaska in the conversation as much as possible but they had their own little in-jokes and she couldn’t help but feel like an outsider at times.

It’s all part of making new friends, she told herself, And I have to live with them for the rest of the school year. I have to make this work.

But all she wanted to do right now was just crawl into bed and nap for a good long while so she didn’t have to think about everything.

By the time the three arrived back from lunch, the fourth roommate had finally arrived. They found her sprawled out along the couch with an arm folded over eyes and the traces of an annoyed frown already on her lips. The second she spoke, Alaska felt a growing sense of dread form in the pit of her stomach.

“Great…I’m living with a bunch of bottle blonde bitches.”

The comment rattled her more than she’d like. Despite her initial thoughts that it looked undetectable, at least for now, she was starting to worry her decision to bleach her hair just looked ridiculously fake and stupid.

Her trepidation deepened as the girl sat up and asked, “So who’s hideous leopard duvet is that?”

Oh, god, this year is going to be a nightmare, isn’t it?

But while Courtney broke into a case of the giggles, Willam slung an arm around her shoulders and spoke, “Calm down, bitch. Some of us are garbage pails with hideous taste. We’re still people.”

She hadn’t realized it was so obvious she was getting irritated.

But one thing she noticed, for those few brief seconds Willam was leaning into her, was that she actually felt sort of comfortable. At least more than when Courtney had tried to hug her right out of the gate. But that was neither here nor there. Her focus was largely on the way Courtney seemed determined to ask the new girl-Bianca, she found out soon enough- any question that came to mind.

It was kind of sickening actually. In the same way as when you stuff your face with your favorite sweet, then five minutes too late you realize you’re way too full and the candy suddenly tastes like it’s choking you. Definitely something like that.

Willam and Alaska shared a look of mutual disgust but much to Willam’s surprise, it looked like Bianca was slowly starting to break. Strange, she expected someone that abrasive (much like herself) to have held out longer. But Courtney did have a sort of magic charm. It worked on her two years ago after all, and it seems this new girl would be no exception.

A few more questions, some teasing, and Bianca relented enough to at least partially apologize for her snarky comments. “So. I had kind of a shitty morning. I was actually about to jump in the shower. I’ll probably be in a better mood after that.”

That was probably the best they could hope to get out of her. “Well, that’s a relief,” Willam quipped, earning a short, snort of a laugh from Alaska.

It sounds kind of nice to hear her laugh, Willam realized.

An agreeable smile came to rest on Bianca’s face as she admitted, “I deserved that.” There was a slight nod to her head as she added in, “So I guess I’ll go…do that.”

She took one last glance at the group before standing up and walking back towards her bedroom. Despite the initial impression she gave off, Willam felt she was something of a kindred spirit. A toothy grin appeared on her lips as she stated all too loudly, “What a cunt.”

She would swear she heard a soft chuckle echoing from the hallway and that just made her smile even brighter. This girl was definitely going to be some fun. The joke however, went over Courtney’s head and quick enough there was a light slap on her arm as Courtney scolded her, “Bill!”

Willam rolled her eyes, grin still present, as she shook her head at Courtney’s obliviousness. Continuing to huff, Courtney added in, “I like her.”

“Clearly,” Willam teased, tickling her sides. “Why don’t you go make my bed?”

“Make your own bed, dickhead!” Courtney shrieked, giving her a playful shove.

Even still, Courtney eventually relented to helping Willam as she made her bed, it did go faster with two people after all. Following that, they spent the better part of the afternoon organizing all of Willam’s extensive wardrobe as much as possible. Space was limited so they had to make due with what was available. Even with Courtney offering up an extra drawer to use, it still wasn’t quite enough.

As the pair got on with that, Alaska took the chance to do some more unpacking of her own. There never had been much of a process to her organizing, but Alaska always knew where everything was, or at least where it should be. Organization didn’t mean much to her, she’d often forget any pattern she’d set up anyway, but as long as there was a designated spot, she could find things as she needed them. 

Although, as she looked over Bianca’s clean and hyper categorized belongings with a skeptical gaze, she couldn’t help but wonder if she shouldn’t try to make a bit more of an effort. At least for right now. Their room looked almost like one of those before and after pictures you would see in an ad for a cleaning service. Everything Bianca owned had its own space, hell, it was even labeled, and Alaska’s…well, it made sense to her and that’s what mattered, right?

However, when Bianca came back from her shower, Alaska did promise to keep her side contained. It was the least she could do after seeing a flash of alarm on Bianca’s face as she took a closer look at Alaska’s half of the room.

“You fucking better,” she warned, her smile taking out any bite to the remark.

Alaska couldn’t help but laugh. Slowly but surely, Bianca was starting to grow on her. All of her roommates were, she realized. It still felt weird but in time she was sure she could settle into a new norm. For now, she just had to push herself along until things fell into place.

******

A few minutes later, Willam and Courtney burst into the room to inquire how she and Bianca were getting on.

“How are you ladies doing?” Courtney asked brightly, “Bonding?”

“Oh, yeah,” Bianca quipped, shifting around from her place at her desk, “Our periods are already in sync.” She twirled the curling iron in her hand at almost the same speed at which her eyes rolled.

Alaska laughed, unable to help herself. She was really starting to appreciate Bianca’s sense of humor.

Courtney found herself a place to sit on the floor, watching Bianca style her hair with interest, while Willam unceremoniously collapsed onto Alaska’s bed. A tired, muffled groan was heard from where she collapsed face first into the sheets. She played up her exhaustion as she rolled over with a great, strenuous effort but Alaska could see there was some truth behind her acting. Willam barely moved an inch after she turned over, even after Alaska scooted aside to give her more space.

“How disgustingly primal,” Willam spoke distractedly. Her eyes darted around the room with an air of suspicion as she inquired, “Is your room bigger than ours?”

Alaska looked at her with a certain degree of skepticism, because of course the rooms were the same size. If there were a difference, Willam would have already claimed the larger room, she had no doubt about that.

Turning to Courtney, she found her roommate had some sort of explanation for the inane question, “Bill’s pretty pissed about the closet space. I gave her one of my drawers, but…” she shrugged nonchalantly, nudging and pulling on Willam’s foot until there was a lighthearted kick in her direction, “Some people are just never satisfied.”

Thinking to herself for a second, Alaska found herself offering, “I have an extra drawer, too.”

It felt like all eyes were suddenly on her as a sense of self-consciousness began to creep in. She wasn’t entirely sure why she made the offer but she did have the space, she reasoned. Why let it go to waste?

Bianca, however, felt inclined to ask, gesturing to one of the jumbled piles of belongings sitting atop Alaska’s dresser as she did so, “You sure you don’t want to use that for some of the stuff that’s…”

“Nah, she can have it,” Alaska answered with a sweet but taunting smile. It’d be her good deed for the day.

Immediately, Willam started to perk back up. With a bit of careful maneuvering she might just be able to stuff the rest of her wardrobe into that extra drawer. But that wasn’t the only thing that left her cheerful, it was also that Alaska had volunteered her extra space. Perhaps she was starting to warm up, after all. As her tired mind pondered over how to go about arranging everything, she heard Bianca asking, “So…not to be a wet blanket on all this delightful female bonding, but…where can a bitch find some decent vegetarian food around here?”

Glancing up to Bianca with a tilt to her head and a curious gaze, Courtney questioned, “You’re hungry?”

“No,” Bianca replied, all but rolling her eyes, “Just thought I’d buy some food and throw it at seagulls. Yes, I’m fucking hungry.”

Courtney and Alaska immediately broke out in a state of giggles but Willam was actually the one to find the strength to answer her, “Decent shit is mostly downtown…but edible? There’s the cafeteria next door, the salad bar over by the biology building, food court in the quad, the-”

“No, Bill,” Courtney interrupted, swatting lightly at Willam’s leg. “Let’s get something different. Something better.”

Sighing heavily, with an eye roll to boot, Willam propped herself up in order to get a better look at everyone, particularly Courtney. “Fine then, cunt,” she huffed, “Where do you suggest we eat?”

Courtney sat silently for a moment, running through all the local dining options she could think of. Alaska was glad for this distraction. Despite being surrounded by her roommates, a growing wave of loneliness was starting to rise in the pit of her stomach. She wasn’t sure where this all was coming from but immediately she recognized that little could be done to push it away. She just wanted to be alone right now more than anything.

The three discussed some sort of idea Courtney proposed but Alaska was barely listening. She was trying to stall the negative emotions, at least until the others left, but she was far from succeeding. It only left her in a very distracted, half-aware state where she had to struggle just to recognize that someone was speaking to her.

“Alaska?” Willam asked, “You in?”

“Uh, I’m not really all that hungry,” Alaska declined as politely as she could. “You guys should go.”

Cocking her head to the side, Willam inquired doubtfully, “Are you sure?”

“Yeah,” Alaska lied, “I’m getting a little bit of a headache.”

Concerned, Courtney leapt to her feet and crowded Alaska with motherly intent, “Oh no! Do you need something? I have magnesium supplements. Or, peppermint oil! That’s great for headaches!”

“Or, if you want something that actually works,” Bianca muttered, “I got Tylenol and Advil…”

“I’ve got Vicodin,” Willam added in. “And weed.”

Touched but finding the attention far too smothering, Alaska declined with a simple, “Thanks guys, but I think I just need to lay down for a while.”

“Okay,” Courtney agreed, beginning to usher everyone out of the room, “We’ll leave you alone. Let us know if you want us to bring you back any food.”

“Thanks.”

Alaska watched gratefully as everyone slowly slipped out of the room. Only Willam spared one final glance back at her; one of vague skepticism, but kept any comments she might have had to herself. Now alone, Alaska waited patiently until she was sure everyone had left the apartment before pulling herself from the bed in order to run a hot bath. Usually a bit of self care would help but even as she soaked in the fragrant, bubble filled tub, she just felt miserable. Her mind wandered back to everything she left behind; the professors she adored, her friends…Jinkx. 

She missed her ex. So much more than she realized before and now they might as well have been on opposite sides of the galaxy with how far Alaska felt from her. She toyed with the idea of texting her, even opened up her contact information, but something in her prevented her from sending off even a simple ‘Hi.’

No, she was sure Jinkx must be busy too, settling in for the new semester. Alaska shouldn’t bother her right now. The best thing to do right now was just sit in the bath, try to relax, and failing that, just turn in for an early rest.

Yeah…at least then she could forget about her heartache…just for a little while.

#rpdr fanfiction #willaska #bitney #alaska thunderfuck #willam belli #courtney act #bianca del rio #college au #lesbian au #fluff #angst #eventual smut #eventual romance #friends to lovers #no strings attached #just friends #albatross #veronica #submission

[artificialqueens]

Poolside Service, Part 1 (Willaska) - Albatross

AN: Alaska has just discovered her father hired a new pool cleaner…one with a snarky attitude and a fondness for skimpy little bikinis. Inspired by a request from a few months ago: ‘Prompt: Alaska is a spoiled little daddy’s girl. Willam is her exact opposite. Willam gets a summerjob working for Alaska’s family (maybe cleaning the pool or whatever) ’

“Um…who is that?”

Alaska glanced over to Manila, who was staring out the oversized kitchen window with a look of mild confusion on her face. Curious, Alaska set aside the smoothie she had just made and joined Manila in gazing out into the yard. Even without her friend pointing it out, Alaska immediately caught sight of another young woman hanging out around her family’s pool. She was kneeling at the ledge dipping something into the water but it was too far to see what. The one thing Alaska could see (though just barely, she thought to herself) was the absolute tiniest little electric blue bikini. The straps were so thin it was a wonder they hadn’t snapped yet!

“No clue,” she drawled out contemptuously. Spinning around in a sharp turn, she yelled out, “Dad?”

In about five seconds her father came shuffling into the kitchen with a pleasant but rushed look on his face. “What is it, hun?”

Silently, both Alaska and Manila pointed again out the window. His brow furrowed at the odd behavior from the pair and he too took a second to glance outside and make sense of the scene. His eyes darted around the large expanse they were lucky to call a backyard until they finally rested on a figure quite familiar to him.

“Oh,” he laughed out, walking over to the refrigerator to search for a quick snack. “That’s just Willam. The new pool hand.”

Manila seemed satisfied enough with the answer and let out a small noise of understanding but Alaska found herself becoming mildly annoyed. “Why didn’t you mention we were getting a new pool cleaner?”

“I did, sweetie,” her father patiently reminded her between bites of a chilled apple he had picked out. “Last week… Twice.”

“Huh,” she huffed out. Try as she might, she could find no memory of that conversation but if her father said that he had told her, she believed him. It was still frustrating though. She liked to be told these things well in advance, not have them sprung on her without warning! Not that it’d really change her and Manila’s plans to sunbathe today but a heads up would have been nice regardless.

Dragging herself back to her smoothie, she took a thoughtful swig and tried to push away her nagging sense of feeling inconvenienced. Having finished his apple in just a few bites, her father quickly reverted back to his rushed and frantic mood as he asked rather desperately, “You haven’t seen where I left the files for the Ramirez project, have you? I’ve searched all over my study and the den and can’t find a single paper.”

A smile found its way to both Alaska and Manila’s lips as they shared a knowing look. Both girls were all too familiar with this habit. He would leave papers scattered all around the house in spots where he was ‘sure he wouldn’t forget them’ and come the next morning, his mind would totally blank on where they went. More than once Manila had come over to the house in the midst of his panicked searching, only to be roped in and hunt for the missing project plans. Seems today would be one of those days until Alaska piped up with a helpful, “You left them in a portfolio by the front door. On the little table where you drop your keys, I think.” Then as he dashed off in search of the papers, she added in just for Manila’s benefit, “And last night he swore up and down there was no way he could forget them since he’d have to pick up his keys on the way out anyway.”

Manila snickered at the statement and went to claim the last of the smoothie left in the blender for herself. In the meantime, they heard a very triumphant call of, “Found them! Thanks, hun! I’ll be out in five minutes.”

Rolling her eyes, knowing full well it’d be at least another 10 minutes before he was gone, Alaska focused on her attention on her phone and her half-finished drink. A flash of movement out the window caught her eye but in a second it was gone. That forced the new pool girl back into her thoughts.

“Shouldn’t he have hired a pool boy , instead?” she asked stormily, chewing on her straw.

Manila laughed at the question, a wide smile on her face as she teased, “Wow. Sexist.”

“I’m not!” Alaska insisted. “But who ever heard of a pool girl? I mean, can she even do all the things a pool boy can?”

“And what exactly does a pool boy do?” Manila challenged with an annoying smirk settled firmly on her lips. Her eyes dared Alaska to respond, in fact she was practically begging for it. But she knew she had Alaska cornered. The pink rising to Alaska’s cheeks proved that she had no sort of comeback or reasonable argument. “You really have no idea, do you?” Manila teased.

Grumbling, Alaska replied softly, “Shut up.” Then after thinking for a moment added in, “I just don’t see why we need a pool person anyway.”

Manila might have had more to say but in that moment, Alaska’s father swept into the kitchen again, this time grabbing the cell phone he left by the sink at some point, and mentioned casually, “Because last year it got absolutely filthy with no one actually swimming in it for days on end.” That was true, Alaska and her friends mostly just sunbathed or when they did go in, it was just for a languid float along the surface. “Besides, she’ll be doing more besides just cleaning the pool.”

“I bet,” Manila snickered, earning a swift kick to the shin from her friend.

Failing to notice the glare on his daughter’s face, he also suggested with a playful undertone, “And if you’re so concerned, you’re welcome to join Willam in cleaning up the back yard…or take her place entirely.”

His smile was pleasant but also quite serious. As soon as Alaska realized that, she put forth her sweetest, most appeasing grin and politely declined, “No, thank you.”

“That’s what I thought.”

Finding her father standing firm on this subject, Alaska opted to let the conversation end there. Nodding his head, he turned around to slip out of the kitchen one final time, but as he made his exit, he implored her, “She’s about your age… try to get along.”

Sighing, she relented, “I will.”

“Good girl…Now I just need to find the case for my laptop.”

“Try the closet in your office,” she called out, “You probably put it there after your last meeting!”

“Thanks!” came the distant reply.

Despite the topic being closed with her father, Manila did not seem to be inclined to let it drop quite yet. She was looking to have a little fun with it still, Alaska noticed, much to her annoyance. Trying to speed things along, she snapped out, “What?”

“Nothing,” Manila drawled out, her lips curling into a knowing smirk.

Another short-tempered sigh passed Alaska’s lips and with one final sip, she finished off the remainder of her smoothie and left the kitchen’s island to place the glass in the sink. Unfortunately, the sink happened to look out onto the backyard and still standing beside the pool’s edge, she found Willam preparing the scrub-brush and skimmer. She watched her for a moment, trying to figure out exactly why her father hired Willam in the first place. Probably because she wears bikinis made of tissue and floss, she mused suspiciously. Looks like she’d fuck the first person to offer her a drink.

But as her thoughts began to wander, all too soon she became aware of Manila standing next to her.

“She’s cute, huh?”

“Oh, shut up!” Alaska scoffed, turning away to walk towards her room. 

“Don’t know why you’d rather have a pool boy instead of her.”

“Shut up, Manila,” she warned as her friend followed behind, hot on her heels.

“That skimpy little bikini, looks like it’d fall right off as soon as you touch it, huh? And just look at her body. Perfectly toned with an ass you could bounce a quarter off of,“ Manila wistfully listed away, “Do you think she has any tan lines anyw-”

Growing more and more annoyed at the situation, Alaska grumbled moodily, “Fuck off.”

Unable to resist taunting her friend, especially given how testy she’d become, Manila proposed with a suggestive smile, “And she’d probably be your best bet getting laid this summer, right? You and her all alone, every day. Wouldn’t it be nice to have your first time by the poolside?”

“Fuck all the way off,” Alaska seethed. But despite how angrily she said it, she couldn’t deny that her cheeks were absolutely burning…nor could she ignore the way her stomach twisted with the suggestion.

******

Half an hour later, Alaska’s father was on his way to work and the girls were ready to spend the day sunbathing. Now that their college was closed for the summer, the pair was more than ready to spend the next few weeks relaxing and unwinding before the next semester started. To Alaska’s mind nothing was more calming than spending a day by the pool chatting with a close friend or two. Manila would much rather stay inside to watch TV, smoke weed and gossip but she conceded that sitting out in the late mornings was nice. The air still had a hint of coolness and the sun wasn’t quite strong enough to be glaring yet. Plus it made getting an iced coffee or daiquiri in the afternoon that much sweeter.

Alaska often had friends coming over to sit poolside or hop in the jacuzzi. On a week with good weather, she usually had someone visiting every other day and more often than not, it was Manila. The pair could easily chat for hours on end and the conversations were usually so engaging that the morning and afternoon would slip by without them really noticing. It truly was the best way to relax after a year of heavy schoolwork.

As the pair took their time setting up the chaise lounge chairs to be situated just right, Alaska couldn’t stop herself from occasionally sneaking a peek down towards Willam. They had been out here for a good five minutes and not once had she looked over. Not even a casual glance to see who had come into the backyard!

A hint of annoyance was starting to emerge in the pit of Alaska’s stomach. Shouldn’t Willam have looked up just once? What if it were her father coming into the backyard to speak with her? Where was the professionalism?

Her lips pressed together in irritation and a soft ‘hmpf’ resounded in her throat.

“What?” Manila questioned.

Alaska felt her jaw clench for a moment before admitting peevishly, “She hasn’t looked over here yet.”

“Well, she is working,” Manila pointed out calmly, a trace of smirk curling at the corner of her lips. “Probably hasn’t even realized anyone else is out here yet.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Alaska muttered with reluctance.

“You know,” her friend teased, “You could go over there and introduce yourself.”

Alaska stared at her like she was out of her mind. Why in the hell would she do that? Before she could even question Manila’s concerning train of thought, there was a further taunt of, “Mm? What’s the matter? Scared?”

Her tone was designed to get under Alaska’s skin and much to her annoyance, it worked all too well. Feeling a faint heat rising to her cheeks, she insisted, “No!” But Manila was far from convinced. Her eyes dared Alaska to prove her wrong. 

The pair stared each other down for a few moments before Alaska’s patience ran out. “Fine,” she grumbled, swiftly turning around and trying to will away the pink on her face, “I’ll go talk to her.”

“What a brave sacrifice. Now don’t fucking chicken out, bitch!”

After flipping off her friend, Alaska trekked across the patio towards the pool shed. Willam had disappeared inside and was just coming out with a large, and apparently heavy, bucket in hand. She spotted Alaska, that much was evident, but she made no motion to stop what she was doing. A simple glance up and down Alaska’s figure, with no change in expression, and she went about her work in a casual, disinterested manner. It was as if she’d been looking at a fucking tree across the yard!

Another wave of indignation washed over Alaska but she was still determined to introduce herself. It was a matter of pride and of course, to prove Manila dead wrong. Swallowing back her nerves and plastering a friendly smile on her face, she followed Willam to the side of the shed and began, “Um, hi. My name’s Alaska.”

This caused Willam to pause finally. She gave Alaska a brief considering look but in a flash her expression became blank once more and she turned her attention to kneeling on the ground and pulling out a large bag from inside the bucket. As if it were an afterthought, she gave a bored introduction of “Willam.”

“So you’re the new pool cleaner?” Alaska heard herself asking stupidly. She wanted to smack her head on the wall of the shed but that was all she could come up with to say.

Willam’s eyes darted back up to meet Alaska’s. There was something cold and hard about them…judgmental. It left her feeling small and foolish. Willam’s tone certainly didn’t do anything to dispel that thought as she replied slowly, “Yeah.”

Trying to keep her nervous smile intact, Alaska found herself blurting out, “Oh, um, my dad was the one that hired you.” 

‘I know. I was there,’ Willam’s expression seemed to imply. The look in her eye became even more critical, as if she was trying to figure out just what to make of the woman standing in front of her. Alaska felt as if every intelligent thought she had was slowly slipping away. She wanted to say something of value but her mind was blank.

Willam on the other hand, had no problem functioning. Tearing a sloppy hole into the plastic bag, she poured a generous helping of something white and almost powdery into the empty bucket. Alaska watched in silence as Willam pulled on the hose left laying on the ground and dropped the open end into the bucket. Motioning for Alaska to step to the side, Willam reached over and turned the spigot handle. Immediately water was heard rushing through the semi-coiled hose and came gushing out into the bucket.

As Willam kept a careful eye on the rising water, Alaska asked, “What are you doing?”

“Working,” came the condescending response, hoping Alaska would take the hint soon. Normally, Willam would have left it at that but thinking better of the situation, she added in, “I’m preparing the shock for the pool. Watch out for that hose,” she warned, seeing Alaska sidestepping in an attempt to be more out of the way.

“What does that do?”

“Kills bacteria, prevents algae from growing,” Willam replied lazily, then seeing the vaguely confused expression on Alaska’s face, she simplified further, “It makes the water pretty.”

This time it was apparent she struck a nerve. Alaska hadn’t missed the patronizing attitude and she was starting to get pissed. She wasn’t stupid…she just…couldn’t think right now! She was trying to be friendly but damn it if Willam wasn’t making her feel like she was pulling teeth just to be polite. Reproachfully, she admitted, “I’ve never done that before.”

“I can tell.”

There was another moment of silence as they both watched the bucket fill with water. Alaska was ready to leave this conversation, she’d had enough of Willam for one day, but as she straightened her posture and looked up, she found Manila walking towards them. 

A warm smile was already fixed on Manila’s lips as she joined the pair and rested her arm casually on Alaska’s shoulder. As she turned  off the spigot, Willam gave them both a look of mild confusion and inquired, “Your girlfriend or your dad’s?”

“Neither!” Alaska answered far too quickly, “Manila’s my friend.”

A charming, flirty smile came to rest on Willam lips as she introduced herself to this latest arrival. Unlike her attitude with Alaska, Willam was all too welcoming of Manila. And that just pissed off Alaska even more. She really needed a drink right now, never mind that it was only 10 in the morning.

“Need some help?” Manila inquired politely, gesturing towards the bucket filled almost entirely with milky looking water.

“Thanks,” Willam returned with an appreciative grin, “but I’ve got it.”

As if the bucket was still just as empty as it had been five minutes ago, Willam easily lifted it into the air and made her way towards the pool’s edge. Her arm rippled with a subtle definition of muscles that even had Alaska staring. Manila, however, was more vocal of her surprise. She gave a low whistle and commented with great appreciation, “You sure do.” 

At this Willam gave a half turn and fucking winked at Manila before effortlessly pouring the contents into the pool. The whole scene, all 20 seconds of it, left Alaska feeling flustered and frustrated. Clearly these two were having a moment and she was not about to be the third wheel for that . Moodily, she announced, “I’m gonna grab some bottles of water from the kitchen. Anyone want one?” she asked, already turning away.

Manila replied positively while Willam declined, “I’m good.” Then darting her eyes back to Alaska’s retreating form, she called out, “Hey, the hose-”

But it was too late.

Alaska’s feet were caught in the coils and rather gracelessly she stumbled and flailed to keep herself upright. It worked but she could only imagine how ridiculous she must have looked. Like a fucking alien imitating dancing at nightclub probably. 

Struggling to hold back her laughter, Manila forced out an amused, “You okay, Lask?”

“Yeah,” she grumbled, trying to hide her embarrassment, particularly as she disentangled herself from the mess she’d made of the hose. 

If it’d only been around Manila, Alaska was certain she would have brushed this incident off without a second thought. But while Manila tried to hide her amusement, Willam felt no such restraint. Her hideous seal laugh echoed throughout the yard with every gasp for air further fueling Alaska immense hatred of it. 

When Willam was finally able to breathe, she called out to Alaska, “Told you to watch out for that hose!” Having enough of this, Alaska stormed away towards the kitchen but before she was even 5 steps away she heard a muttering of, “Thank god you’re pretty.”

Her stomach flipped again but she was far too angry to take much notice of it. God, why did Willam have to be such a bitch?

Alaska was trying to be nice, like her father asked, and Willam just did not give a shit. She brushed Alaska off like she was nothing, much less her employer’s daughter! If anything she ought to have been the one bending over backwards to be friendly, not Alaska!

Ugh! She could not stand this girl! How was she expected to endure an entire summer of that attitude?

Whatever. If Willam wanted to act like a bitch, then so would Alaska.

******

In the days following this rocky introduction, neither woman’s attitude seemed to improve. Willam was all too eager to focus on her work, whether it was scrubbing or skimming the pool, watering the plants, cutting the grass, or even just cleaning out the pool shed. She’d always ignore Alaska at every possible opportunity. The only time there was a chance she’d pay attention was if Manila stopped by for a visit. Then Willam was all too happy to forget her work and chat for a few minutes.

Alaska, on the other hand, found herself fluctuating between the extremes of ignoring Willam and craving her attention. It always started out the same; she’d tell herself to just forget about Willam in the backyard and go on with her usual routine. Often she’d find herself wanting to just lay out and tan or float in the pool and of course that meant she’d have to see Willam out there. Was it worth the headache and annoyance of Willam’s presence, she’d wonder.

Then she’d find herself arguing back, But I did all that before she got here! Why should I change my schedule for her? So it was settled and she’d be off to find a comfortable spot poolside to relax. 

That’d work for maybe an hour or so and then she’d find herself annoyed again. Of course Willam didn’t even acknowledge her.

Before long Alaska would be fuming; she deserved some kind of attention, even if it was just a nod of the head. Where did Willam get off treating her like some kind of intruder in her own backyard?

But then another couple of minutes would pass without Willam even glancing over and Alaska would decide she’s had enough. She would make Willam look at her! And so nearly every day she did something that would catch Willam’s attention, even if only for a second. Maybe it’d be loudly scraping the lounge chairs across the patio as she put them in the perfect spot or sitting right on the pool’s edge to read as Willam makes her rounds scrubbing the walls and floor. Other times she’d prefer to move a chair onto the lawn and relax there. So what if Willam needed to mow? She can go around. 

All it would earn was a contemptuous, mildly annoyed look. Alaska would always flash a charming, if somewhat taunting grin, but before she could enjoy her small victory, Willam would snatch it away and return back to work as if there’d been no interruption at all.

All of this exasperated Alaska, enough so that almost every day she was complaining to Manila or another one of her friends. Manila, as she anticipated, was of little help. She kept insisting that Alaska should just try talking to her. Sooner or later Willam was bound to warm up to her…but Alaska could not see that happening. Willam was just a frigid, stuck up bitch and why should Alaska try to get to know her at all?

Once or twice, she even tried complaining to her father about Willam’s attitude but all he ever did was defend her! He told Alaska that Willam was there to do a job and by the looks of it, she was taking it seriously. Alaska shouldn’t be bothering her anyway; she was there to clean up the backyard, not entertain Alaska’s need for constant attention.

Alaska would argue she didn’t need to be the center of attention, she just wanted some friendly acknowledgement but her father would always give her That Look and she’d drop the conversation. It didn’t stop her from grumbling about it later though.

It frustrated her that everyone seemed to be on Willam’s side! What was so great about her anyway? It’s not like she was some innocent little angel. She’d go out of her way to annoy Alaska too!

Once when Alaska had been chatting away on her live feed, Willam felt the sudden urge to go cut the fucking grass! It completely drowned out her voice and she was forced to end the live early. And as soon as she rounded on Willam with an irritated frown, that fucking bitch just smiled and waved at her! 

That stupid, cheeky, full of herself grin! It was probably the only time that Willam had actually smiled towards her, apart from when she was laughing that first day.

When Alaska mentioned the matter to her father, he simply stated, “Well, mowing the lawn is part of her job. You could have just gone inside if you wanted to keep chatting with your friends.”

Useless.

Then another instance; Willam was skimming the pool but it was hot and Alaska wanted to float on the surface. So she did, Willam could skim around her she figured. All was fine and good for the first few minutes but Alaska’s pool float always found its way towards the area Willam seemed to be working in. That wasn’t her fault! Willam saw things differently and as soon as she was finished, she reattached the water feature she’d removed earlier from one of the pool’s jets. The same jet Alaska was about to be floating past. The result was a fountain of water streaming down and thoroughly spraying Alaska. It absolutely soaked her freshly highlighted hair. She ended up abandoning her float and climbing out of the pool.

“What if I’d been reading something?” she argued.

“But you weren’t, princess,” Willam declared with a smug little grin, “A little water never hurt anyone.”

“My hair was just highlighted yesterday. I’ll tell my dad about this,” Alaska threatened.

“He’s the one that asked me to replace the fountain as soon as I was done skimming. Can’t go ignoring his orders, now can I?”

Alaska had no response. She stormed away back inside the house to grab a stiff drink and try to brush out the newly formed knots in her dripping wet hair.

******

Alaska was not about to let that last incident go without a fight. If Willam was so concerned about doing as her father asked, then she would certainly use that to her advantage. 

She invited Manila over again, tempting her with her favorite wine and the promise of going into the city that afternoon for a pick-me-up from their favorite cafe. Shortly after Manila arrived, the pair found their way outside and made themselves comfortable on the lounge chairs. The summer sun was beating down and within the hour they felt a stronger drink was in order.

“Willam,” Alaska called out in a musical voice, smiling sweetly as the woman in question turned around, “Would you be a dear and fetch us some drinks from the kitchen?”

Scoffing, Willam was quick to retort, “I’m the pool hand, not a butler,” and returned to scrubbing the pool’s walls.

“But my dad said you’d be helping out with everything in the yard,” Alaska recalled with a dramatic pout, “And we’re in the yard.”

Rotating back around, Willam didn’t bother to try hiding the irritation and disgust on her face. Why couldn’t Alaska just let her work in peace for once?

Even Manila looked mildly embarrassed by this behavior. She gave Alaska a light kick to the shin and muttered something along the lines of ‘Knock it off!’ Yet Alaska remained undeterred. She had a challenging look in her eyes and a smug smirk on her face as if daring Willam to try and say ‘no’ once more.

Pausing to think to herself for a moment, a slow, devious smile worked its way onto Willam lips and all too easily she gave in with pleasant, “You know what? Fine. I’ll go make you a drink.”

Dropping the extended brush, she flashed one last grin back at the women and slipped away inside the sunroom. Immediately, Alaska was suspicious but she couldn’t just run off and follow her! That’s what Willam wanted right? She’d probably just hang out in the kitchen for a few minutes, get herself something to drink and then return empty handed…or maybe she’d just bring back a single drink for Manila.

Ugh!

The more she thought about it, the more Alaska’s blood boiled. Then finally after about six or seven minutes, Willam returned with cocky smirk and a fucking tray holding two mixed drinks. Mockingly, she held out the tray in showy fashion for the women to pick up their glasses and cooed, “Enjoy.”

Scornfully, Alaska looked at the drink in her hand and accused, “You did something to this, didn’t you?”

“That’d be unprofessional.”

Snapping her gaze back to the infuriating woman before her, Alaska declared coldly, “That’s not a denial.”

“No…,” Willam agreed with a thoughtful, considering smile, “It really isn’t, huh?”

With that last statement, she flounced away and resumed her work cleaning the pool. She spared no more attention for the other women and that pissed Alaska off to no end. She was absolutely seething as she watched Willam ignore her like she didn’t exist. But as she turned to Manila to comment, she saw her friend raising the glass to her lips. “Don’t drink that!” she cried out in alarm.

Confused, Manila paused, lowered her glass, and asked, “What? Why?”

“She did something,” Alaska argued, glancing over at the pool cleaner, “I know she did!”

Rolling her eyes, Manila firmly ignored her friend and took a confident sip. Finding nothing wrong with it, except perhaps a bit weaker than she would have preferred, she shrugged her shoulders and noted, “Tastes fine to me. Aren’t you gonna-”

“No.”

Eyeing up the drink in Alaska’s hand, she proceeded to ask, “Then can I-okay, nevermind.” As she began to speak, Alaska was pouring out the drink onto the stony patio. What a waste of good alcohol.

As soon as the contents were emptied, Alaska stormed off with her glass towards the direction of the sunroom. As she left, Manila could hear her grumbling, “God, I can’t believe her!”

******

That night Alaska took the first chance she got to complain to her dad about this ordeal but he was far from sympathetic. If anything, he hardly seemed to be listening to her in the first place. “I know she did something to the drinks!” she repeated once more, stamping her foot as she tried to demand her father’s full attention.

A soft sigh escaped his lips as he set aside some of his work papers and turned his focus towards Alaska. His eyes shone with patience and skepticism as he pointed out calmly, “It’s not her job to make drinks for you and your friends. And didn’t you say Manila drank hers?”

“Yes, but-”

“And there was nothing wrong with it?”

“Well, yeah,” Alaska conceded, “But…but that doesn’t mean she didn’t do anything to mine!”

Smiling pleasantly at his daughter, he inquired with a placid tone, “But how can you know if you didn’t even try it?”

Alaska was stunned. How could her father still take Willam’s side? Over his own daughter? Recognizing that she wasn’t going to win this round either, she turned to storm away back to her room. As she left, she heard her father asserting, “You’re instigating.” There was an unspoken addition of ‘So stop it’ but she ignored that sentiment. No, if anything it just pissed her off even more that no one, even her father, could see that Willam was the one who started all of this! She was the one who treated Alaska like she was nothing…worse that the dirt and grime she cleaned from the pool. It was all her fault and Alaska was not going to let this go!

*******

Every day felt like a battle of wills between Willam and Alaska. Willam did her best to continue her work undeterred but those stormy glares day in and day out were starting to bug her. Almost every day Alaska seemed to make it her mission to annoy Willam at least once. Her favorite as of late was blaring some god-awful music the entire time she was outside.

It was Willam’s fault that Alaska even found out she disliked the music so much. She had asked through gritted teeth for Alaska to switch to another station or turn the volume down but of course that spoiled little brat just grinned at her and cranked the volume up even higher. God, this music was grating on her nerves! Even dead silence for the rest of her life would be better than having to listen to this or Alaska’s irritating voice as she chatted away on her live.

The one good thing about today was that Willam had a plan. The grass was finally long enough to warrant a cutting. A nice, drawn out one if she had anything to say about it. As soon as Alaska planted herself on the lounge chair and turned on that god-awful channel on Spotify, Willam went straight to work. Even the loud droning of the mower was far more dulcet than those whiny experimental pop songs blaring from the outdoor speakers.

However, that didn’t stop Alaska in the slightest. She simply turned the volume to its max, smugly smiling away knowing that eventually Willam would have to stop. But until then, Willam was thoroughly enjoying any kind of break she could get from that noise they called music.

As she completed her passes from the very edge of the lawn and moved closer to the center, another thought occurred to her. Just a little bit of payback…

It wasn’t much but damn it, if it wouldn’t feel satisfying.

Normally, Willam would do her best to direct the spray of clippings back into the areas she’s already cut. No sense cutting the same clippings twice. And it kept the debris from collecting along the patio’s edge. Today, however, that was the last thing to concern her. She made her passes ever closer towards the stones…and certain pieces of furniture. At first Alaska was unaware of what was happening, the passes hardly causing more than a small breeze. But on the next pass, the realization began to set in. Then the fourth…she, her chair, towel, and drink were covered in the clippings.

A wave of rage washed over her face as she rounded on Willam and the riding mower. Willam just smiled brightly and waved back as she geared up for the next pass. Alaska however, wasn’t going to wait that long. She gathered up her towel and drink and marched right to the edge of the pool.

With Willam’s full attention on her, she poured out her grassy drink into the water and stared right into Willam’s furious eyes. Her towel came next. She emptied all of the contents above the pool, littering the surface with far more grass than she would have expected. Most of it clumped together but a fair amount was already spreading out over the expanse of the water. As she gave the towel one final shake, her fingers slipped (that’s what she’d swear to later) and the towel escaped her grasp.

It fell into the water, floating for just a moment before starting to sink. Willam was already storming up to Alaska’s side by the time it was half submerged.

“Pull it out,” she commanded, her voice cutting like ice.

Alaska let out a dismissive scoff and argued, “You’re the pool cleaner. You do it.”

The pair stared at each other long until Willam finally had enough of Alaska and just everything, and was the first to pull away. She walked back to the pool shed and pulled out the skimmer, carefully dipping it into the water and picking up the submerged towel. Once it reached the surface, the weight was more apparent and as soon as she could, she dumped the soaked mess onto the patio, well away from where it could fall in again.

Alaska watched in angry silence as Willam skimmed away the grass floating on the surface and  emptied the mesh bag on top of the towel. Figuring that was the end of this round, a cocky little smirk began curling at the edge of her lips but Willam shocked her once again. Tossing the skimmer aside, she calmly walked away from the pool’s edge…but not in the direction of the forgotten mower. No, she was heading straight for the gate.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Alaska demanded to know, sprinting to catch up to her.

Willam stopped in her tracks, slowing turning around to give Alaska the full strength of her rock hard gaze. There was no room for argument, no uncertainty as she proclaimed, “I’m done.”

With that final statement, she continued on towards the gate, thoroughly ignoring Alaska’s protests that she stay and finish out the day. For all it was worth, Alaska might as well have been talking to the fence or a tree. Willam’s mind was made up and nothing was changing that. She calmly entered her car and drove off without another look at Alaska nor the house.

It was as Willam disappeared down the street that the reality of how badly she fucked up really set in for Alaska. She could only imagine how furious her father was going to be once he found out later that night.

#rpdr fanfiction #poolside service #albatross #willaska #willam belli #alaska thunderfuck #manila luzon #enemies to friends to lovers #angst #fluff #eventual smut #lesbian au #pool cleaner au #submission #poly