Instant Family (SWSH Fanfic)

Who Took Away Their Smile

"Psh," Gloria waved Bea's offer away coyly, "I got this..." she felt her quads cramp angrily as she took her first step up the stairs. Bea shrugged, walking past her, skipping the first two steps. Gloria tried her best to stifle a groan, reaching for the hand rail.

The upstairs hall light turned on, Gloria could hear Bea tapping her foot impatiently as she trudged her way to the landing. Bea greeted her with a frown. "I bet you're not feeling too great right now—" she held her hand out to Gloria, lacing her fingers with hers as she led her to her old bedroom, "—I think I might be able to help you out." She slid another door open, revealing a painfully minimalistic bedroom. A platform bed laid nestled in the back corner, a single nightstand neatly tucked beside it. A simple, wooden desk with a matching chair was settled against the wall opposite, with a vanity and wardrobe taking up the remaining real estate. There was a wall that was adorned by a crowded row of medals, all sparkling similar shades of gold. A shelf was perched above the medals, stuffed edge-to-edge with multi-tiered trophies. Each one had the number "1" attached to it one way or another. Gloria sauntered over to inspect the medals as Bea went over to rummage for something in her closet.

Gloria dragged her fingertip across the medals, causing them to clink together like wind chimes. She inspected her fingertips.

Literally everything—

She scuffed her toe across the shining wood floor

is so—

She sat on the bed, hugging a pillow to her chest and breathing deeply through her nose. The familiar scent of Bea's fabric softener calmed her senses.

fucking clean...

She cocked her head, leaning to the side as she watched Bea's hands reach for something on a tall shelf in her closet. Gloria dragged her gaze up and down her body.

Look at those arms... I can see her abs peeking through since her shirt is riding up a bit... when she stands on her tip toes, her butt looks—

"Uh-whoaaa—"

*THOK*

OOF.

Bea stumbled backward, a fluffy duvet tumbling into her arms and a dislodged book bonking her on the head. Gloria winced as she saw the thick binder's corner land squarely on top of Bea's foot. Bea scrunched one of her eyes closed, hopping slightly as she clutched onto the duvet.

HA. OUCH. Better go help...

"Hhnnnngghh," Gloria leveraged herself out of bed and walked over to the closet, Bea let out a string of innocent non-expletives into the duvet as she shook her foot. "You okay Jelly Bean?" Gloria crouched down to pick up the binder as Bea unburied her face from the fluff.

"Yep—" her voice was strained, her body turning to face Gloria, "just a scra— hey now—" her eyes widened, Gloria's nose was buried excitedly in the binder. Gold, embossed letters at the front of the binder read 'Photo Album' in cheesy, script-y font. Bea quickly stuffed the duvet under her right arm as she attempted to swipe the binder away with her free hand, "— no way— gimme that—"

Gloria side stepped and dodged Bea's calculating swipes expertly, giggling gleefully as she flipped through the pages. She ran back onto the bed, jumping into the covers comfortably as she cradled the binder from Bea's grabby hands. Her eyes suddenly widened, a gasp left her lips. Bea cringed as she walked to the bed slowly in defeat. "BEA—" she proudly held up the page she was looking up so she could see its contents.

"Oh no..."

"Oh YES!"

Gloria greedily turned the book back around to herself, stroking the page excitedly.