#checkateva

"What do you want to do when you grow up?" Kate was sprawled on Chess' bed, legs resting upright against the wall, head digging into Eva's hip.

Eva didn't look up from her laptop. "Teaching."

Kate flung her arms up, smacking their girlfriend in the chest with one hand, almost dislocating Chess' nose with the other. "You're so boring."

"Ow."

"Soz, Checkers, love you really."

"Yeah, yeah, absolutely." Chess pawed at their nose, surprised that Eva hadn't reacted to being literally punched in the boob, jesus christ since when had Kate been so strong? "Also, Eva's not boring, she's just got her shit together better than you do."

"I've got my shit together! Anyway, that wasn't the point, I didn't mean, like, jobs, I meant just things you want to do when we grow up."

"...That is jobs." Chess took one of Kate's flailing hands and pinched her index finger. They told themselves it was to piss Kate off and not to save their nose from another sneak attack.

"Fuck you, you knew what I meant."

"Sure, Kitkat." They let their partner's hand go, regretting it when Kate immediately started picking at the week-old nail varnish on it, black flakes decorating their bed. Eva hadn't moved or even acknowledged the conversation going on around her and Chess placed a quiet hand on her knee. They knew that both them and Kate worried about Eva, though Kate worried about everything so maybe that was a bad example. Still, they knew the other girl perhaps didn't have her shit together as well as they teased.

"Why would you even want to go into teaching though?" Kate's heels thudded against the wall and, as happened every time they met at their house, Chess began to regret letting Kate anywhere near their nice neat room. "I mean, I find it hard to deal with one of me, I wouldn't want a whole class to have to actually teach."

"Eva's good at that, everyone likes her."

"Yeah, 'cause she's an angel," Kate shuffled herself around and wrapped their arms around Eva's waist, her voice now muffled by fabric, "And we love her."

Eva smiled, one hand ceasing typing to brush over Kate's head before returning to her work. Chess rubbed their thumb over her knee, "I think someone," They nudged Kate, "Is getting bored. We should stop for now."

Kate was overly willing to sit up and pack away their books, neatly closing and then rearranging her folders. Chess always marvelled and how someone could be such a chaotic mess but then become so neat when it came to school work. They themselves were a little more haphazard, throwing their books in a pile beside their backpack before getting up and stretching. Kate kissed Eva's shoulder, sent affectionate fingerguns to Chess and walked over to the door, running a hand through their hair as they did so. She paused, one hand on the doorframe, "I want chips. I'll bring a pack up, do either of you want anything?"

Chess shook their head, "I'm all good." They locked eyes with their partner, both raising an eyebrow in sync and then gesturing back to their girlfriend.

Kate bit her lip and nodded, "I'll get a banana as well, okay Aves?"

Eva nodded vaguely and then the door was shut and Kate was gone.

Chess heaved a sigh, wandering over to where Eva was still sat typing on the bed. They ran a hand through the girl's hair, planting a kiss on the top of her head. "Maybe it's time to take a break, V."

Eva shook her head fervently, her fingers only pausing for a second. Chess crouched in front of her, reaching around the laptop to hold her hands. They looked at their girlfriend, properly looked, noticing all the details that got mixed up to create Eva Sanchez. She looked tired, more than anything, and it hurt a little to see someone that they loved so much become so overwhelmed. Her eyes were soft and unfocused, hands cold where they held Chess'. Slowly, so slowly, Chess let go of her hands and pulled the laptop off her lap, saving her work before closing it. They sat cross-legged on the floor, head resting on Eva's knees. "What's going on up there?"

Eva shrugged, nudging Chess backwards with one socked foot and sliding off the bed to sit opposite them on the floor. "Dunno."

Chess hummed and smiled. "I agree with Kate, you know. You're boring because you work too hard."

Eva huffed out a laugh. "I have a lot to do," she protested weakly.

"Yeah, I know." They shuffled around and pulled the other girl close, rubbing one hand in stars over her back.

"And if I don't do it all, I'll fall behind." Chess felt Eva's lips mumble against their collarbone, whispering words they knew that she struggled to admit even to herself. "Chess, I'm scared. I don't want to fall behind because I'll lose the scholarship and I'll lose you and that would fucking suck. And- and I feel bad when I'm not busy all the time, because," She paused, voice hoarse around the edges, pressing closer to Chess. The door opened and Kate slipped in, a bag of chips under one arm, a banana in one hand and three cans of ginger beer balanced precariously in the other. Chess smiled over Eva's head, watching as Kate took in the situation. They placed the snacks down and padded over to the others, sitting down and taking one of Eva's hands to stop her from picking at the hem of Kate's flannel that she'd somehow ended up wearing. Eva continued, "Because if I'm not working or cheering or anything then what am I? Like, I'm not worthy if I can't prove myself, right?"

Chess' heart broke at those words and they held Eva impossibly tighter, kissing her temple. "Oh god, Eva, no." They noticed how both of their partners' hands shook as they held onto each other and pulled themselves together a little. "V, sweet thing, firstly, you never have to worry about us leaving you because we love you because of who you are and not because of your grades or your cheer ability or any of that. We're so proud of you for it, but we love you, not a report card."

Eva nodded hesitantly. Chess brushed the hair away from her face, hand lingering a second on her forehead, taking in the subtle warmth, all whilst looking as sincerely as they could into her eyes.

"You don't need to prove yourself either." Kate drew their attention. "You're wonderful the way you are and, like, even though sometimes it doesn't feel like it, you don't need to push yourself to this point, because you will always be good enough because you're you." She paused. "I don't think that made sense, I think I tried too hard to sound as eloquent as Checkers."

Chess laughed and Eva did too. Kate blushed, hiding their face in Eva's hands. "I mean, you tried, Kitkat."

Eva cackled, "Yeah, A+ for effort."

"Hey! The sentiment's still there, though!"

Laughter dimming, Eva nodded. "Of course. I love you and your confusing monologues."

Chess grinned at the two of them, Kate giving Eva a look of pure adoration before flying into her arms. They fell backwards against the carpet as Kate leapt on the two of them, teasing a mutual, "Oof," from all three.

"What the fuck!! What the fuck is this!!" Kate clung to them in her preferred koala pose. "You can't say that to me!! I am but a hopeless gay and now you have made me flustered!!!!! Illegal!!! How dare you!"

Chess laughed, the kind of laugh that makes you feel like you're filled up with bubbles, all bright and clear. On top of them, Eva yawned, pushing her head into Kate's elbow with a catlike whimper. Kate looked alarmed suddenly, rolling off the other two to lie flat on their back, legs instinctively hooking themselves up and onto the bed covers. "Aves, you okay? Chess, she's warm, is she-"

Placing a newly-freed arm onto their partner's stomach, they cut her off before she could spiral any further, "She'll be fine, she's just a dumbass," Chess lowered their voice, creating brackets with their hands, "(Affectionately), and has overworked herself."

"I am still here."

"Shhhpsspshspshpspshp," Kate placed a hand over Eva's mouth. "We look after you now."

Chess nodded and pulled the other two with them back onto their bed. Eva curled up with her head on their chest, fingers jittering, still tapping out letters into their side. They took her hands and lifted them to their lips. "Love you too."

The bed dipped as Kate returned from a trip across the room, a huge packet of nachos in her hand. Chess once again fondly regretted letting them in their room - first nail varnish, then crumbs, what would be next? "I cannot believe you."

"What?!"

"V was literally about to go to sleep but no, you ruined it with your bloody crunching."

Kate paused mid-crunch. "Oopth-"

Eva giggled between the two, reaching a hand into Kate's bag of chips.

Kate looked practically jubilant. "HA! See, she's actually eating, it was a good thing after all."

"I cannot believe I'm being betrayed by my own two significant others."

Kate grinned, "Love you!!!"

Eva shuffled closer, shutting her eyes, "Yeah, we love you."

Chess stole the bag out of Kate's hand, "If you love me that much, you'll give me some nachos."