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Rehearsal was a little intense today. Choreography sharp, vocals tight, and Mathew pacing the room like a drill sergeant. Everyone was in go mode. But even in the middle of eight counts and harmonies, Beyonce had one eye on her.
Y/N tucked off to the side as usual, was helping Latoya adjust a mic pack that had been acting up. Her touch was casual, her voice soft as she reassured Latoya with that calm and collected vibe she always had. Latoya smiled and laughed at something Y/N said, swatting her playfully on the arm.
And that's when Beyonce missed a step.
It was a good thing Mathew stepped out for a phone call, or Beyonce would've never heard the end of it.
She snapped her head towards them, brows knitting together just for a second before she caught herself and looked away. Her jaw tightened. Her vocals hit a little harder on the next line. She wasn't mad at Latoya...well maybe a little. But it was mostly the way Y/N smiling. That smile was hers.
From the other side of the room, Kelly caught all of it.
She saw Beyonce's misstep, the quick glare, and the subtle attitude that followed. And she definitely saw the way Beyonce deliberately avoided looking at YN.
More laughing across the room caught her attention. Beyonce's eyes narrowed. Her arms were crossed, one brow arched as she watched YN adjusting the cord at the small of Latoya's back. It wasn't what they were doing...it was how comfortable it looked. The way Latoya leaned into the moment. The way Y/N touch looked like it lingered too long for her.
Beyonce didn't even think before she spoke.
"Latoya," she snapped, louder than necessary. "You plan on singing or are you just gonna play around with Y/N all night?"
Latoya blinked, taken off guard. "Relax Bey, I just needed help with my mic."
Beyonce jaw clenched, her fingers twitching at her side. "Everybody stop playing around and get into position."
Latoya rolled her eyes but got to her position. The girls continued to rehearse together but as soon as it got to Latoya's part of a song it went downhill.
"You were off." Bey said, cool but clipped.
Latoya turned, confused. "Off?"
"Off key." Beyonce clarified. "That run in the second hook? You sound flat."
The room was quiet. Everybody seemed to pause.
Latoya raised an eyebrow, trying to keep her cool. "I didn't hear anything wrong with it."
"Well, I did." Beyonce snapped, her voice edged with something sharper than critique. "We're not about to put out sloppy vocals."
Y/N standing just to the side with a clipboard froze mid step. Her eyes flicked between them, knowing exactly what this was really about.
Latoya crossed her arms. "What's your problem today?"
Kelly coughed awkwardly, muttering "Here we go..."
Latoya wasn't one to back down. "Y/N?" she said suddenly, turning to her. "Did you hear me go off key?"
All eyes snapped to Y/N. She blinked, caught between a rock and a very beautiful, very jealous Beyonce.
"You all sounded good to me." trying to defuse the situation.
Beyonce gave her a look that was not subtle.
Beyonce walked off and snatched her water bottle from table. She walked outside to get some air. Y/N followed her quietly.
Y/N leans against the door with her arms crossed. She was watching Bey pace the walkway like she was trying to work off whatever storm was just brewing inside of her.
"Bey." Y/N said softly. "Why did you come at Latoya like that in there?"
Beyonce stopped pacing, turning sharply toward her. "Because she was flat."
Y/N raised a brow. "Come on. That wasn't about the note, and you know it."
Beyonce looked away for a moment, chewing the inside of her cheek. "You were laughing with her. It was just you two just....vibing."
"We were just talking about the mic pack. She made a joke about your dad fining us if it broke. That's it."
Beyonce's jaw stayed tight. Her eyes flickering, calculating and uncertain. "Do you think she knows?" she finally asked. "About us?"
Y/N exhaled and reached for her hand, lacing their fingers together. "If she does, she hasn't said anything...And even if she does suspect something..So what? I'm with you. I've always been with you."
Beyonce looked down at their hands, then up at her. Some fire in her eyes dimmed, replaced by something more vulnerable. "I don't like feeling like I have to compete for your attention." she admitted. "Even if it's just for a laugh."
Y/N stepped closer, brushing hair from Beyonce's cheek. "You never have to compete. You already have all of me."
Beyonce leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just...love you so much. It scares me sometimes."
