When the Script Changes

Chapter 8: Learning to Love Out Loud

And then—

She kissed her.

Slow. Gentle. Like she had all the time in the world.

Like she wanted to take her time.

And Becky?

She let herself fall all over again.

--------------------------------------------------

Unfortunately, they couldn't stay in bed forever.

By noon, Becky was up and stretching while Freen sat at the edge of the bed, running a hand through her hair.

"So, are we telling people?" Becky asked casually, though her heart was anything but calm.

Freen's hand stilled.

And Becky felt the hesitation.

She turned to Freen, tilting her head.

"You do want to tell people, right?"

Freen sighed, rubbing her hands together. "It's not that I don't want to. I just... I need time."

Becky nodded slowly.

"Time for what?" she asked gently.

Freen looked up at her, eyes filled with conflict. "Time to make sure I don't mess this up."

Becky's heart softened.

She understood.

Freen had spent so long running from this—she wasn't used to standing still.

So Becky moved closer, taking Freen's hands in hers.

"You won't mess this up," she said firmly.

Freen exhaled shakily, squeezing Becky's hands.

"Just... give me a little longer?"

Becky searched her face for a moment before nodding.

"Okay."

Freen let out a breath of relief, tugging Becky closer until their foreheads touched.

"Thank you," she murmured.

Becky smiled. "I'd wait forever if I had to."

Freen chuckled softly. "You won't have to."

And Becky believed her.

Because for the first time, Freen wasn't running anymore.

She was just trying to learn how to stay.

--------------------------------------------------

Even though Becky agreed to wait, she wasn't going to hide how she felt.

So when they got to set later that day, she was still as affectionate as ever—stealing little touches, leaning into Freen whenever she could, giving her looks that made Freen shift uncomfortably.

And maybe she was testing her a little.

Because Freen said she needed time.

But Becky wanted to see how much time it would take before Freen snapped.

And then, of course, Lena showed up.

Freen had never been good at hiding her jealousy.

And today was no exception.

The second Lena casually draped an arm around Becky's shoulder, Freen froze.

And when Becky giggled at something Lena said?

Freen clenched her jaw so hard Becky thought she heard her teeth grind.

Lena smirked, obviously aware of what was happening.

And Becky?

She decided to push just a little more.

She leaned into Lena's touch, pretending not to notice Freen's glare.

And then—

Just like before—

Freen moved.

Except this time, she didn't just pull Becky away.

She claimed her.

With no warning, Freen grabbed Becky's wrist, yanked her toward her chest, and wrapped an arm around her waist.

Becky barely had time to react before Freen's lips brushed against her ear.

"Mine."

Becky's breath hitched.

Lena raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Well. That escalated quickly."

Freen didn't even look at her.

Her entire focus was on Becky—on the way she was suddenly breathless, her cheeks tinted pink.

And then, just to prove her point, Freen tilted Becky's chin up—

And kissed her.

In front of everyone.

Becky swore she forgot how to breathe.

Because this wasn't just a kiss.

This was a statement.

This was Freen saying, I don't need time anymore.

And when she pulled back, looking into Becky's stunned eyes, she whispered—

"I'm done hiding."

Becky smiled.

"Good," she whispered back.

And then she kissed her again.

Because finally, Freen had learned.

Love wasn't something to fear.

It was something to hold on to.

And this time—

She wasn't letting go.