May 4, 2023
Four Simple Words // Frank Turner
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Four Simple Words // Frank Turner
Four Simple Words goes so damn hard and I, regardless of my exhaustion, must simply go hard along with it
‘Frank Turner universe’ fic. Chapter II: I.I. 2013. The first polaroid picture
Chapter summary: Beca and Chloe attend their first Frank Turner show together, in Atlanta, where Chloe realizes maybe her feelings for Beca are not purely friendly...
Also on AO3.
Someday in November, 2013.
Beca was outside the Bella's house. She was lying down the grass with her headphones on, listening to some music obviously. It was one of her favorites things to do on her days off. Those days were reserved to do absolutely nothing but to lie down and not feeling guilty about procrastinate, pretty much being the woman's attitude on a daily basis.
She was listening to 'Tape deck heart', Frank Turner's album which he will be going to tour along the US with during that year. The very same tour Beca and Chloe buy tickets for to attend to months ago, being set for 10th of November, here in Atlanta.
Beca opened her eyes to find Stacie poking at her right cheek, with a funny expression on her face. The woman was funny, yeah, but Beca would rather not to be bothered at times like this, when she was trying to find some kind of spiritual silence out the Bella's house. That was the reason why she was outside at the grass instead of being inside the house. With a not amused smile, Beca paused the song she was currently listening to, and took her headphones off to pay attention to Stacie.
“Woah, easy, Mitchell. Don't smile too broadly. It might crack your jaw. Jeez”.
Beca rolled her eyes. “Is that better?” said the petite woman, who softened her expression.
“Not really, but I appreciate the effort. Anyway. I know you'd rather not be disturbed, but Chloe is looking for you. She says she has something she wants to show you, I don't know. Let her know you're here or something”.
“Will do, Conrad. Thank you so so so much for the heads-up, you're so kind. Now I'm smiling broadly to you, see? I'm suuuuuper nice”.
“Okay, you can stop now. I'm going inside. Text Chloe”.
Beca chuckled as she saw Stacie walking away towards the house. Then she grabbed her phone and texted Chloe: I'm outside, lying on the grass, listening to some music. Usual deal with me. You should know it by now, Beale. Come join me.
Coming! replied Chloe.
“Hey, you” said the redhead, who joined Beca on the grass outside the house in a matter of minutes.
“Hey, yourself. Stacie said you wanted to show me something?”
“Yep” Chloe sat beside Beca.
“What is it?”
“Look at what I got. Brand new” Chloe showed a squared box to Beca, who was patiently waiting. Then the redhead passed the box to the brunette, who finally opened the box.
“Okay, this is sooo cool. But should I be impressed or something? I mean, okay. But I don't get it. Is this a big deal and I forgot why?”
“That could have happened, but not in this case. No, silly. Don't you get it? A camera...” encouraged Chloe.
“Yeah, a polaroid camera, in particular”.
“C'mon you almost got it. You can make it, Bec. A polaroid camera which takes pictures makes...”
“Dude, I don't know. A camera takes pictures”.
“Well, aren't you smart. Besides, I got to that conclusion, not you. No, but I'm not talking about any camera, but a polaroid camera. C'mooooooon, is not that difficult, really. A polaroid camera that takes pictures makes...?”
“Uh... uh... A polaroid picture?” answered Beca.
“Yeah! A polaroid pict-”
“Oh my god! A polaroid picture, of course! I get it now! But in the stillness of the moment it takes for a polaroid picture to capture our faces forever” sang Beca, as she understood the reference Chloe was trying to make her understand.
“Well, that took you forever but I've decided to forget you already since you sang that verse with your beautiful voice” let out Chloe with a satisfied smile, while looking directly to Beca's eyes and watching her face blush a little.
Ever since they met, Chloe would always go like these on Beca -like complimenting her voice, a particular aspect of her, anything really; even looking at her like she did before: like Beca was her only focus-, just like that, just like without even thinking about saying it. Yeah, that was the way Chloe was made, but with Beca was... different. It'll always be different with Beca, she knew that when she met her at the activities fair the year before -Beca's first year-.
And when she almost "jumped" her on the showers the moment she heard her sing. They sang together while harmonizing and looking into each other's eyes, even each other's lips. And once they finished the verse they were singing, they felt that each other's eyes were looking far down their respective eyes to look at her boobs instead, smoothly.
And that time in initiation night at Hood Night Party, when Chloe ran directly towards Beca when she saw her standing alone in one of the old amphitheater seat rows. She grabbed Beca by her wrists, moved the woman towards her -despite the small space that separated the two of them- so their foreheads were almost pressed together and declared she was "very glad" that she met Beca because she thought they would become "really fast friends". That quick interaction they both shared almost led to think that they were about to kiss each other, since both women were looking at each other's eyes and mouths, again.
No wonder why Beca and Chloe were so close to each other and why the two women shared that special bond everyone seemed to notice, even Jesse, who Beca was dating since the end of last semester. You don't stepped into someone's shower, looked at her eyes, lips, boobs and then almost kissed her without shaking things up. Being "things" referred to the relationship Beca and Chloe shared ever since their first meeting. They'd always have this unspoken thing between them due to their firsts interactions.
That was Chloe had been thinking for about a while now: maybe she doesn't feel what she was supposed to feel -friendship- about Beca, but something more. A crush maybe. That allowed her to let out those spontaneous, sweet, cute and flirty compliments to Beca without any shame or shyness. Not being cut out that way at all, it was who Chloe was.
Beca, for her part, mostly backed up at Chloe's compliments due to her awkwardness in these kind of situations: being considered as a minimum invasion of privacy and space. Beca wasn't the flattering and flirtatious kind, not to mention the touchy kind. So she rarely answered the same way Chloe addressed to her. Besides, Beca was dating Jesse so it would be awkward-ish.
The most normal thing for Beca to do to answer Chloe's compliments was to roll her eyes, mostly, to go silent and then clear her throat or just to shrug and to smile shyly. She understood Chloe's forward nature because the redhead always showed herself that way to everyone, but Beca always suspected that she was a little too forward with her. She also understood that due to the showers episode, which seemed to be the most perfect explanation to justify their behaviors with each other as well as the nature of their relationship/friendship.
Beca rolled her eyes at Chloe's compliment. “Yeah, I like Frank's voice better. Anyway, what's your deal with the polaroid camera?”
“Right. Well, so as he sings: let go of the little distractions, hold close to the ones that you love. 'Cause we won't all be here this time next year so while you can take a picture of us” Chloe began to sang softly as Beca did before. “So I thought maybe we could take a picture of us at the concert. You know, a polaroid picture to show we've been watching to see where the time goes, to keep it with us forever. I don't know, it seemed nice when I thought about it”.
“Okay, you can be honest with me. You had it all planned since we bought the tickets, hadn't you?” teased her Beca.
“N... No? Okay, I had. I thought it was a great idea, if you ask me”.
“It is, Chlo. That could be a Frank Turner's shows tradition from now on. Our tradition. A polaroid picture for every single Frank Turner show we ever attend to. What do you say?”
“Well, I think it's an offer I can't refuse” said Chloe, with a Marlon Brando-ish voice.
“Dude, what kind of noise is that? It's creepy”.
“Oh, of course. I forgot you don't like movies. It's an iconic line of The Godfather, you ignorant”.
“Shut uuuup. Anyway, look what I was listening to when you came looking for me” Beca showed Chloe her laptop's screen, which showed iTunes interface currently playing a song of 'Tape deck heart'.
“God, I love this album. It's like his most mature yet. Couldn't think of any better chance to go see him perform live than now on this 'Tape deck heart' tour, honestly”.
“Right?! It's like the perfect album to listen to after a breakup. Like on an endless loop”.
“Woah, Bec. Are you trying to say that...?”
“What? Oh, no. No, no. It's all good with Jesse. I was just... I mean, look at the titles of the songs and also the order of them. Recovery, Losing days, The way I tend to be, Good and gone... I mean I would be listening to it”.
“Well, let me tell you I get that. Frank's always a great company choice, so...” Chloe smiled tenderly at Beca, who smiled back at Chloe. “I'm crazy about Good and gone, by the way. What a lyrics”.
“Dude, I looove Good and gone. I'm starting to think you can read minds, Chlo. The same thing happened with Reasons to be an idiot“.
“Maybe I know you so well...”
“Yeah, maybe you do”.
Both Beca and Chloe looked to each other and shared the same affectionate smile. Then Beca turned the volume of her laptop on so the two of them could listen to 'Tape deck heart' since the beginning. Lying on the grass outside the Bella's house. Together.
November 10th, 2013.
“Bec, you ready?” Chloe asked just as she went up the stairs to join Beca at the attic room, since the brunette had to share it with Amy, due to the lack of space for all of the Bellas to have an individual room.
“Give me a second “ Beca answered, getting more frustrated by the moment. Chloe noticed by her tone and body language.
“Are you okay? What are you looking for this desperately?”
Beca smiled and chuckled nervously, then brought her hand to scratch the back of her head and looked at Chloe with a worried expression.
“Uh... I can't find my ticket”.
“What? Bec, how is that even possible? I saw you put it right on your desk right after we bought them” Chloe said, looking at Beca's desk just in case. The redhead joined the brunette in the ticket-search-task, looking over, in, on and under everywhere Beca's space, literally.
“Ugh, I don't know dude. I thought the same and well... It isn't there. I literally looked everywhere. I don't know where I put it. Shit, Chloe. What are we going to do if we can't find it?”
“Okay, relax. I'm sure we'll find it eventually. We still got time, don't worry. Let's find your ticket. Okay, now focus. Where were the last places you'd put it?”
“Uh... Under the laptop? Over the table? Inside my shoes?”
“What?! Inside your shoes? What kind of person would do that? Anyway, so those places are a nope. Let's think again. What do you usually keep your things? Like it has to be a visible place or space, right?”
“Uh... Reasonably yeah, necessarily no. I mean look at this place, it's a disaster. Like Amy has all her clothes here and there, piled up on the sofa, which I don't know if it's a sofa anymore. Her shoes are also all over the flo-”
“Wait!”
“What?!”
“Amy! What if...”
“Do you think Amy has it?”
“No. I'm thinking maybe she kept it by accident, since this place is... Well... THIS place” Chloe said as she walked towards Amy's side of the room, sidestepping Amy's clothes that were on the floor.
“Dude, we'll never find the damn ticket around all this... I don't even know how to describe it”.
“Bec, just calm down. Come help me look, okay? We'll find it”.
“Ugh. I'm gonna kill Amy”.
The two women looked over everywhere, pretty much the same process they followed when looking at Beca's side of the room for the ticket earlier.
“Wait a moment” Beca said. “Amy has this box where she puts mostly food just in case she gets hungry at nights, but I've seen her put some other stuff sometimes”.
“Okay! Let's check Amy's box, then!” encouraged Chloe.
Beca and Chloe then looked under Amy's bed for any sign of that box Beca mentioned. Once they found it, Beca opened it to check if her ticket was really there. It was.
“So you were right. We found it! You got your ticket! I told you we would, you should give me more credit you know” said Chloe.
“I'm so happy right now I could even give you a hug” Beca held her ticket up to her chest, like it was her most precious possession.
“Woah. So bold, Mitchell. You should hold yourself” Chloe mocked.
“Be serious, Beale. We got a concert to attend to. Let's go before it ends, shall we?”
Beca and Chloe went walking down the stairs right to step out of the Bella's house as they reach the door. Before they left, they heared the voices of some of the Bellas wishing them a nice concert and a fun night. Both Beca and Chloe thanked they as they walked awayaway the house. After a while, Beca asked:
“Dude, where's the Uber? It should be here by now. Shit, we're gonna end up missing this concert”.
“Hey, don't jinx it. We're gonna have a suuuper nice night, you'll see. Look, the Uber just got here” Chloe waved at the vehicle to let know their driver that they were there, just waiting for the vehicle to pick the women up. “C'mon, let's jump on it”.
“Hey. Are you Beca?” said the Uber driver.
“I am” Beca answered.
“Oh, hi there. I'm Kate. Okay, get in the car. Where to?”
“We're going to Center Stage Theater? Like the show venue” said Chloe, to which Kate nodded as she started the car.
“Oh, so you going to see Frank Turner live, huh?”
“Do you know him?” Chloe asked with an astonished tone.
“Oh, yeah. I even saw him live once. You're so gonna love him. He's awesome. He's a very nice man, so grateful and full of energy. He's lovely, really”.
“Niiiiice” said Chloe, as she shared a look with Beca.
“We're gonna be there in time, right?” Beca asked Kate.
“I'm going as fast as I can. At what time does the show begin?”
“At 8.00. So we're kinda in a rush here”.
“Okay, let's go faster then. We're gonna make it there on time”.
After what felt a long ten minutes to Beca and Chloe, Kate got there as she said to them in a matter of minutes. Kate looked through the car window and said to her passengers: “So we're finally here. Seems you to are right on time”.
“Kate. You're awesome” Beca said.
“Oh my god, our heroine Kate. Keep the change” Chloe said as she paid for the ride.
“Thanks, girls! Hey, have fun, okay? See ya'!” Kate said goodbye to Beca and Chloe, who did the same and began walking fast towards the venue.
“We dit it, Bec. I told you we would, it's destiny: we had to see Frank together for the first time”.
“You're a nerd” Beca chuckled. “Shall we?”
“Pleeeeease!”
Both women finally entered the venue and made it into the room Frank was going to play. It was quite huge, actually.
“Oh my gooood, this is awesomeee” said Chloe as she looked through the room.”I’m sure Frank sold all the tickets, it's full. Look at that”.
“I would, but I can't barely see. I hate being this tall, ugh”.
“I'm not that tall myself, you know. I'm only a few inches taller than you. Okay, let's move forward. Ready? Hey, excuse me. My friend is over there and I got to get to her, she has my beer. Mary!! I'm here, I'm coming now” Chloe began to scream, looking ahead of her, dragging Beca by the hand along with hers. The redhead looked at Beca for a second and saw a light smile on her face. Once they stopped at the point the visibility seemed okay for the both of them, they both glanced at each other and began jumping and screaming.
“This is perfect. We're gonna see him so close, Beca! There's literally nobody taller than us ahead of us”.
“Tall people are the worst, ugh. Thanks for dragging us here” Beca looked and smiled at Chloe.
”I got your back, so you'll go on” replied Chloe, who wkinked and smiled back at Beca. “See what I did there? Frank’s ‘If I ever stray’ reference”.
”Yeah, Chlo. 100 points” Beca mocked and chuckled, which Chloe responded the very same way.
Suddenly, the light went off and people began cheering and clapping. Beca and Chloe got closer to each other so they could hear one another. Chloe put her arm over Beca's shoulders, and Beca reciprocated the action.
“You ready, Mitchell?”
“Let's do this”.
They dropped their arms and joined the people around them cheering and clapping. They suddenly saw a few men going up the stage and they could hear how the crowd cheering went wilder and louder. Those few men were The sleeping souls, Frank Turner's backup band, who waved at the crowd as they began taking their respective positions. Frank followed them and joined them up the stage, he grabbed one of his acoustic guitars and raised his arms for the crowd to cheer, who replied with more cheering and clapping. Beca and Chloe turned to face each other for a moment.
“Oh my god, Beca!!! I think I'm gonna die tonight”.
“I know, dude!!! Shit, I'm nervous. It's gonna be a great night, Chlo. I can feel it”.
They didn't have much time to exchange feelings, because Frank began to play first song's chords. He opened his mouth and began to sang.
Well, I guess I should confess that I'm starting to get old. All the latest music fads all passed me by and left me cold. All the kids are talking slang I won't pretend to understand. All my friends are getting married, mortgages and pension plans. And it's obvious my angry adolescent days are gone and I'm happy and I'm settled in the person I've become. But that doesn't mean I'm settled up and sitting out the game. Time may change a lot but some things they stay the same.
Beca and Chloe sang the chorus on the top of their lungs, as they joined Frank's singing and playing.
And I won't sit down and I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up. And I won't sit down and I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Frank almost reach the end of 'Photosynthesis' when stopped playing and singing.
“Okay, friends. I wanna see you singing, I wanna see you dancing, I wanna see you clap your hands. We're gonna say one-two, one-two-three, okay, Atlanta? Are you fucking readyyyy?” Frank said instead.
Beca and Chloe shared a look and they both bring their arms up to the air and began screaming at Frank's requirement.
“Yeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh” they screamed at the unison as Frank began to play the song's chords.
“One. Two. One-two-three” Frank encouraged.
Now I'll play and you sing, the perfect way for the evening to begin. Now I'll play and you sing, the perfect way for the evening to begin. And I won't sit down and I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up. And I won't sit down and I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Just as soon as the song ended, the crowd went even wilder than at the beginning of the show. Beca and Chloe shared a look and the both understood one another, since one look was all they need to read each other's mind. Wow they seemed to express.
“Okaaaay, Atlanta. Goodnight! How you doooooiiiiiing? My name's Frank Turner and this is The sleeping souls. Thanks for being here to listen to us tonight. Anyway, friends, welcome to show number 1494!!!” Frank screamed as the crowd joined him. “Fuck yeah, let's hear it!!!”
“Did you notice? He won't stop smiling. I loooove him!!” said Chloe as she approached Beca so she could hear her.
“He's a fucking rock 'n' roll star. I mean look at him, he won't stop moving” Beca replied.
“Okay, friends” Frank addressed the crowd. “So ‘The sleeping souls' and I are here in the US touring with my new brand album 'Tape deck heart', which was released earlier this year. I know there are people here tonight that followed me through the years, but for those who just joined: we're gonna play 'Tape deck heart' songs, too. So this song that follows is called Plain sailing weather”.
As the concert went by, Frank's interactions with the crowd increased, which to the crowd seemed to respond like Frank was their dearest friend. The atmosphere was great: people cheering, singing, clapping, jumping, enjoying.
“Dude, best night ever. Even with his back pain, he won't stop moving or jumping. This man is everything” Beca pointed out.
”I'm so in love right now I could burst into love tears”.
“Oh, get over yourself, Beale. Behave” Beca cracked up.
“Whaaaat? I legit love him, he's incredible”.
“I bet Kate was right, huh?”
“Soooo right! I wish she was our drive back to Barden” both Chloe and Beca went silent as they hear the chords Frank was beginning to play.
“Is that...?” asked Chloe.
“It is”.
“My jaaaaaaaaaaam” screamed Chloe, who turned to look directly at Frank, leaving Beca smiling at the redhead's reaction.
You're not as messed up as you think you are, your self-absorption makes you messier, just settle down and you'd feel a whole lot better. Deep down you're just like everybody else. She's not as pretty as she thinks she is, just picture her after she's had kids. I bet she sits at home and listens to The Smiths. Deep down she's just like everybody else.
Beca poked Chloe's shoulder to turn herself to her, so they could be in front of each other, to sing the chorus of 'Reasons not to be an idiot' together.
So why are you sat at home? You're not designed to be alone, you've just got used to saying no. So get up, and get down, and get outside 'cause it's a lovely sunny day but you hide yourself away, you've only got yourself to blame. Get up, and down, and get outside.
“Dude, you hate this song” said Beca just as the song ended.
“Oh my god, totes. I've been wanting to hear it live since that night back in Portland, I knew it right when I heard it”.
“Yeah, I figured since you spoke heavens of it. That's part of Frank's magic, I guess”.
“I guess”.
Both women smiled at each other, with affectionate smiles and reminded just like that for a few seconds. Then turned to the stage again to follow the concert. A few songs were played after 'Reasons not to be an idiot' just to get to another 'English keep my bones' hit.
“Dude, dude, dude, DUDE!! This is my jam” yelled Beca, who was looking at Frank, then turned to look at Chloe, who was staring at her with could be passion in her eyes.
The redhead had this habit of staring at Beca whenever she did something Chloe find nerdy, adorable even. But she never looked at Beca the way she was looking at her right now, at Frank's show. Chloe's eyes could speak her mind: the woman was passionate enough about music, but if the combo mixed music, live music, Frank Turner's music and Beca being passionate about singing Fran Turner's music at a live show... Well, that was everything. The thought hit Chloe as she watched Beca singing on the top of her lungs and being all passionate the song Frank was playing and Frank himself: she has a crush on Beca, her best friend, her platonic soulmate. The song came to an end and Beca began jumping and screaming while she looked at Frank.
“Wow. This song is like so relatable. I mean and on the worst days, when it feel like life weights ten thousand tonnes, I sleep with my passport, one eye on the backdoor so I can always run. Totally relatable” Beca pointed out
“Well, I hope you'll never run” blurted out Chloe.
“Won't do, Beale. Not anytime soon, at least” answered Beca, which left Chloe went blank. “Dude, I'm joking. Of course I won't leave, you weirdo. Chill”.
“For what it's worth, I also love 'I am disappeared', by the way” Chloe diverted the attention.
“I mean who wouldn't love a classic trapped-in-life-so-need-to-runaway song, right?” Beca asked and Chloe nodded in response.
“Alright, Atlanta” began Frank. “It's been a lovely night, thank every single one of you who came here see us tonight. I hope you'd had a great time with us. I also hope to see you along the way. Okay, so we're gonna play one last song and I want to see all of you fucking singing, and fucking jumping and fucking go craaazyyyyyy. This one's called Four simple words. Atlanta, you fucking reeeeeeeadyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?”
Because we're all so very twenty-first century you're probably listening to me on some kind of portable stereo. Maybe you're sitting on the back of the bus, or it's running up your sleeve and you're across from your boss, or you're sitting in the bedroom on your own with the light down low.
“ C'mon, Atlanta. Sing with meeeeeeeeeeee”.
Chloe and Beca grabbed each other by one another lower backs and joined Frank and the crowd.
I'd like to teach you four simple words, so the next time you come to a show you can sing those words back at me like they're the only words that you know.
Frank encouraged the crowd to sing while moving his arms to the right and to the left repeatedly.
I want to dance, I want to dance. I want love and lust and a smattering of romance. But I'm no good at dancing and yet I have to do something. Tonight I'm gonna play it straight, I'm gonna take my chance. I want to dance.
“C'mooooooooooooooooooon everybody, sing along!!!!” Frank screamed.
Beca and Chloe, still with their hands on one another lower backs, began jumping while singing the lyrics to 'Four simple words' until the song came by its natural end.
“Thank yoooooooooouuuuuuuuu, friends! Take care! We'll see along the way!” Franksaid as he waved at the crowd while began walking off the stage, along The sleeping souls.
“Duuuuuuuude, that's it? Okay, what a show. Frank's insane. The energy, dude” said Beca, who turned to face Chloe.
“I'm stunned, this man is legit the love of my life. This show has been insane, indeed. Here” said Chloe, as she was taking something from her bag, “come closer. We have to take the first picture, remember?”
“The polaroid picture, yeah. I remember. Let's take it, let's get this over with. I hate you for wanting to take a picture, by the way”.
“You hate being in pictures alooone, this is different. You're with me and we just got out of Frank Turner's concert. This is different”.
“Okay, a little. But for what it's worth there's no one I'd rather be in a picture with, Chlo”.
Chloe blushed a little and smiled at her best friend, who put an arm over the redhead's shoulders and took the polaroid camera.
“Smile a little for the camera, Beale. Here we go” Beca pressed the polaroid camera button and took the picture, as it began to print. The polaroid picture. Their polaroid picture. Which was destined to be a tradition from now on everytime they attend one of Frank's shows. Their tradition.
“I love it” said Chloe as she took the picture once it was printed.
“Agreed” replied Beca. “Now let's get home, shall we?”
They were waiting for their Uber to pick them up when Beca saw a merchandise stand just a few meters away the Stage Center Theater.
“Wait me here for one second, okay? I'll be right back” Beca walked away from Chloe towards the merchandise stand and began speaking to the man who was selling Frank's products. After a few minutes, Beca got back to Chloe, who was waiting just where Beca left her.
“What did you got?” Chloe asked, curiously.
“The most awesome poster I've ever seen. Look” Beca asked, as she unfolded the piece of paper she just bought. The poster had 'Tape deck heart' album cover printed on it, along with Frank's US tour dates. The album cover itself was a heart, as in the organ's anatomic shape, tangled with a tape old cassette by the heart's veins and arteries. Then was the title of the album, 'Tape deck heart', and a few decorations around the 'tape-heart'. At the bottom of the album cover was Frank's name.
“Woah, yeah. 'Tape deck heart's album cover is fascinating” Chloe agreed.
“Yeah, dude. A piece of art. So I decided to buy it just to put up on my bedroom wall. And to remind our first Frank's show. My particular polaroid picture, you know. It's not that I need to look at it to remind tonight, but still. I want to have it just right beside me. I don't know, it's silly” Beca said, first looking at Chloe; then at the floor.
“Okay, first. You are a nerd, but still adorable. And second, it's not silly. Actually, I think it's the most "romantic" thing you've ever said. I mean you want to remind tonight, what an honor!” Chloe mocked at last.
“Okay, stop pushing or it won't be a second time”.
“A second time?”
“Uh... I meant a second Frank's concert”.
“ Sure, Mitchell. Keep telling yourself that” Chloe replied as soon as her eye caught the Uber's lights as the vehicle approached both women. “What do you say we call it a night, yeah?”
“Let's hit home”.
Both Beca and Chloe spent the drive home silent, just watching through the car's windows, thinking about the night they just shared, probably. Chloe stared at Beca momentarily, as she caught the brunette distracted by looking at the roads they were passing by with the car. The thought that hit Chloe earlier at Frank's show was still there: she had a crush on Beca. A sentiment that it wasn't mutual or reciprocated, because the woman was actually with Jesse. I'll figure it out, she thought to herself.
Beca and Chloe were finally at the Bella's house after a twenty minute ride. Once they got into the house, Chloe went directly towards the fridge to grab a pair of beer bottles: one for her and one for Beca, who loved beer. None of the Bellas were awake, so Beca and Chloe had to whisper due to keep the volume down.
“Hey, Chlo? Would you come upstairs with me for a minute? I wanna put the poster up the wall and I'd like you to be there” Beca said in a gentle way.
“Sure, let's go”.
Once they were there, Beca pointed to the only available space the room wall had, just next to a photoset and between a bunch of few posters.
“I wanna put it right there”.
“Since it's the only available space the wall has left”.
“Right. Here, take this side. Help me put it up the wall” Beca said to Chloe, as she was walking towards the wall room. “Okay, be careful. Is it straight?”
“I think so, yeah” replied Chloe.
“How does it look?”
“Perfect” said Chloe, as she and Beca remained silent while staring together at the poster.
Song Of The Week: Four Simple Words by Frank Turner
Four Simple Words [Minka + Sebastian]
Written with @kellyminks
Takes place last night (Tuesday) in Central Park, Downtown Bayview.
Sitting on the edge of his bed, Sebastian stared down at the sparkling ring nestled securely in the black velvet box, same as it had always been since he'd purchased the piece almost a month previous. However, unlike those passing days, today was different. Today, he was going to ask her. Running his free hand through his hair, he blew out a long breath, stomach fizzing. He wasn't nervous - a realization that surprised him more and more as he’d been making plans to ensure things went off without a hitch. Instead of anxiety and nerves, he was simply excited as hell to get this show on the road. To start the rest of his life with the woman he loved. To have undeniable, tangible proof that this was the person he wanted - and needed - to be with for the rest of his life. That Minka would turn him down not even a possibility in his mind as he smiled to himself thinking about how his girlfriend would react to the series of instructions he was about to send her to put things into motion.
Closing the ring box, he scritched his fingers through the long, silky fur of the dog sprawled across the bed next to him. “Whaddya think, huh?” He cooed at Ludwig, “She’s a keeper, right?” Laughing gently at the snort he received in response, Sebastian checked his watch one last time before rolling off the bed to start getting everything ready that he needed to make his way over to Central Park.
Minka sat at her kitchen island, sipping on her tea, as she scoured through recipe after recipe on her laptop for new ideas she wanted to put together for the next few cooking classes. It was a task she genuinely enjoyed and could get lost in for hours looking for the next yummy thing to bring to life with her class. “We’re officially in Spring,” Minka mumbled to Chewy who was resting by her feet, “I know it doesn’t feel that way, but that’s what the calendar says, so you think we should start with some lighter fare?” Minka scanned the web page and a certain avocado recipe caught her attention, “Oh, we definitely need to do that.” Minka took out her small notepad she used for groceries and began listing what she would need and the date she’d need it for.
Once she had it all sorted, she turned her attention back to the computer, “you know what, I was meaning to check something out,” the brunette recalled, beginning to type ‘chicken sweater patterns’ into the Google browser. Even as she did, she couldn’t help the small giggle picturing Sebastian’s face if he knew what she was up to. She made a mental note to send him a picture of the one she settled on.
Tossing the phone onto the bed, Sebastian’s excitement kicked his heartbeat into overdrive as he texted Minka, asking her to meet him in Central Park in about an hour - knowing that’d give Sebastian enough time to get ready, and for Chace to play the part he’d been cajoled into playing. There’d been a lot of things about Chace moving to Bayview that Sebastian had been unspeakably grateful for, but having a friend in your life - and now in his neighborhood - that he could bribe with beer and a home cooked meal came in especially handy that week. Sebastian smiled warmly at his friend’s joking earlier that day that Minka would say yes, which Sebastian returned with a heatless threat to not be late. Confident that the other man would come through for the favor he’d been asked, Sebastian got moving, showering, shaving and putting in a concerted effort for the most important trip to the park he’d ever take in his life. Grinning madly at his reflection, he carefully pulled on the plaid, double breasted suit that Minka favored on him so much.
He’d gone through a hundred different scenarios and mentally drafted a hundred different speeches for this moment. Pulled himself back from blurting out the question as they strolled hand in hand through the Place de la Concorde in Paris; whispered admissions of missing one another over the phone while he was in Atlanta, and the overwhelming urge to just ask her, despite having left the ring at home, that previous Sunday over Easter dinner at his parents’ house. He’d been torn between making it a spectacle; a celebration of how much he loved this woman, and keeping it small and intimate; something precious between them. In the end, Sebastian felt that bringing things back to where they started was the one that made his heart - and hopefully hers - the happiest.
Checking three times that he had the ring box in his pants pocket, he searched through his closet for the last needed item for his carefully selected outfit. “Ah-ha!” He said quietly as he pulled the awkwardly shaped accessory from the recesses, smiling at the object in question. Checking for the perfect imperfection on the side, he slipped it over his arm and practically bounced on his toes, smirking, as he texted Minka purposefully: Sorry babe, running a few minutes late - meet you at our bench in 15? xx
Minka was in the middle of reading how to take correct measurements to properly fit a bird with a sweater when her phone buzzed. Seeing it was text from Sebastian immediately made the sides of her mouth turn up in a smile. Reading it, and seeing that he was requesting her to go to the park Minkas brow creased wondering if everything was okay. The bench was a spot they shared all types of news and conversation so it didn’t necessarily mean anything was wrong, but curiosity was getting the best of her. Texting back - I’ll head there now xx - Minka closed what she was working on and announced her plans to her pups, “Momma’s going to the park for a bit and then has class. You two stay here and man the house.” Even as the words left her mouth, Minka couldn’t help giggle at the thought of her two small dogs doing anything to protect the home against any sort intruder. Slipping on her white converse and throwing on a canvas jacket over her t-shirt, Minka grabbed her keys and purse and headed out.
Arriving rather quickly with there being no traffic, Minka found a parking spot close to where the bench was located and started for it. Hearing her phone buzz again Minka checked it and saw Sebastian’s update that he was running late. Having plenty of time before her class began, it didn’t bother her any. She sent him back the ‘blowing heart emoji’ and telling him to take his time. Finding her way to the familiar bench, Minka was happy to find it unoccupied and took a seat, going into her assumed position of tucking one leg up under the other. Settling in and taking a deep breath, letting the chilly air fill her lungs, the brunette was happy for the time outside and the quiet that came with it. A few minutes passed and Minka checked her phone again out of habit, but there were no more texts. With no sign of Seb yet, she opened up the Instagram app to poke around in and kill the time till he arrived.
Standing across the street from Central Park, Sebastian rolled his eyes fondly at the long string of exclamation points that Chace, his partner in crime for the evening, sent in reply to being asked if he was ready. Switching his phone to silent, he stuffed it into the inner pocket of his jacket and slipped the last piece of his outfit over his head, settling it comfortably around his shoulders.
Sebastian entered the familiar surroundings of Central Park and had to hold himself back from racing down the path towards the bench where he knew Minka would be waiting. Grinning brightly at the few people he passed, he didn’t let their questioning looks as to why a man in a three-piece suit and bright orange life vest was laughing to himself in the park at dusk. He knew he probably looked crazy, but for the sake of this evening, he couldn’t care less.
Coming around the bend in the pathway, his smile kicked up another notch at seeing Minka sitting on the bench, staring at her phone. Deciding not to call her attention to him just yet, he slowed his strut down to an amble and took her in. His heart thudded happily against his rib cage; his throat squeezing slightly at what he was about to do, how comfortable and excited and confident he felt about taking this next step - all thanks to this woman who held his heart in her hands.
He’d worked hard in his therapy appointments to sort out his issues, to be the most present and capable partner for this woman who had pulled him back from the brink of depressed self-destruction. He’d ticked all the boxes taking Tony to buy a ring, going to LA to ask her father for his blessing, and attempting to orchestrate a proposal that was personal and heartfelt. His dress shoes clicked sharply on the pavement as he sped up again; no time like the present - he’d waited long enough.
Minka was immersed in the homemade bread tag on the social media app toying with the idea that she should have her class make their own bread when a text from her best friend came through breaking her from her zoning. Answering quickly, then checking the time, Minka looked around to see if she could spot Sebastian yet. There was a person approaching wearing something bright orange, and Minka smiled politely about to get back to the pictures, but did a double take as it registered that the offender was her boyfriend.
“What in the..” she trailed off, her smile growing. Minka took him in, a confused look plastered to her face; why was he wearing her favorite suit of his to the park? Did he have an event she had forgotten about? But mostly, why was he wearing a life vest? And where did it come from... The question stilled in her mind as it occurred to her where she had seen that life vest before.
Shoving her phone in her pocket, the woman stood - now completely amused - so she could hug him when he got close enough. “Baby, what in the world?!” Minka giggled, “is that - tell me that’s the same life vest from the cruise!” Her head shook in disbelief, laughter still bubbling out of her. As he got closer, Minka eyed him, a quizzical smile on her mouth, “I feel so under dressed,” she teased, “what is- what’s going on, honey?”
The side of Sebastian’s mouth curled into a pleased smirk as Minka did a double take, not realizing it was him at first. He shrugged one shoulder slightly, his smirk turning into a full, nose-scrunching grin as she called out to him, confused, as he continued his approach; huffing a laugh in response to the bright, beautiful sound of her laughter.
Smiling adoringly, he nodded once to let her know it was in fact the life vest from the cruise, and brought a hand up to point to the faint red stain near his collarbone, “your daiquiri stain and all,” he called, feeling very pleased that she had remembered that first afternoon they’d spent running around a cruise ship, egging each other on to do increasingly stupid tasks with the pure goal of making one another laugh. Sebastian hadn’t felt joy like that in weeks before that day, and it hadn’t taken long after for him to fall head over heels for her.
Stopping a few feet away, Sebastian shook his head gently, “you look perfect,” he breathed reverently, “absolutely perfect.” With a wink to silence her questioning, Sebastian pressed a quick finger to his lips and took the three final steps to be right in front of Minka and dropped to one knee.
Following his hand to the stain on the vest, Minka could instantly recall that sweet memory - that whole wonderful day - over in her head. The one where they spent the day together on the cruise ship, laughing and talking and setting each other up for the silliest things the other could imagine in what would be the start of their now infinite game of truth or dare. The day where it became clear that something was different - that she felt something different - than before about the man in front of her now.
Minka, still in shock, laughed confused and more to herself then to him questioned, “you stole it?” She was about to press further about the suit, about the vest, when to her complete surprise Sebastian went down to his knee. Her eyes rounded as she tried to process what was actually happening, what him being on one knee could mean. Without him saying a word, Minka knew in her heart, and it seemed her eyes were just as quick to process as she felt them fill with tears.
“Seb,” she breathed, not really sure what to follow that up with as the rest of the world seemed to fade out, and the only thing she was aware of was the two of them. Her hand found its way over her mouth that seemed to have a mind of its own as she tried to keep her smile under control, but the sides kept pulling it further and further. Minka dipped her head, her eyes squeezing shut for a moment, pressing out the first of what she was sure would be many tears, and then opening them to make sure this wasn’t some beautiful dream. Gathering herself together the best she could, she looked down lovingly at Seb as if letting him know with nothing more than just her expression how much she was in love with him.
Kneeling on the cold concrete, Sebastian smiled up at Minka, eyes never leaving hers as his nose began to prickle with telltale emotion. Grasping her hand that wasn’t pressed over her mouth, he engulfed it with both of his own, pressing a closed mouth kiss to the back of it; taking the moment to compose himself. He’d rehearsed what he wanted to say in this moment so many times; it figured now that it was here, everything he’d planned completely fled his mind. Clearing his throat quietly to try and push down the lump that still resided there, Sebastian began to speak softly, putting as much adoration into his tone as the words spilled out of him.
“Before you, my life was a mess,” Sebastian started, voice thick with emotion. “I’d backed myself into such a dark corner… I didn’t know how to even start to find my way back out. I was lost, hurting, and my heart was so lonely. Then you came back into my life, and,” he gave a tiny sigh, a devoted, besotted smile crawling across his face, “you were this beacon of light, this - this sense of hope and salvation I didn’t think I deserved, but couldn’t help but follow.”
“I - when we sat on that bench,” he nodded his chin at the spot the both knew to be behind them, “and I told you I had feelings for you, I had no idea what was in store for us. To have the privilege of knowing what it’s like to be so loved and cared for by you - is humbling, and it’s made the rocky journey to get to this place more than worth it. You saved me, Minka,” Sebastian’s face crumpled as his emotions threatened of overwhelm him; continuing in a voice that wobbled, “and I promise not to waste another ten years, and will spend the rest of our lives together working to honor that, and show you how much I appreciate, respect, and am completely, helplessly in love with you.”
Sebastian sniffed and blinked furiously to keep his emotions in check. “You make me laugh, you make me brave, you make me a happier, better man than I could ever be on my own.” Giving her a watery smile, he sniffed again, reaching one hand to pull the now familiar black velvet box out of his pocket. Holding it on his palm for a beat, he opened the lid and turned the box to face Minka, the ring nestled there twinkling in the lamplight of Central Park.
“Minka Dumont Kelly, whom I love with everything that I am,” he gave her a lopsided, self deprecating smile, huffing a quiet laugh as a rogue tear escaped out of the corner of his eye; doing nothing to dim the elation he felt in this moment, “truth or truth: will you marry me?”
Minkas heart thudded wildly as Sebastian began speaking. She had imagined what this moment might look like if it were to happen for her: maybe in bed surrounded by their beloved dogs, maybe at the top of the Eiffel tower, or snuggled up in their robes on her back porch. But this, this perfect spot, the spot where they first admitted they had seen each other as more than friends and wanted to pursue a relationship with one another was suddenly the only place that made sense. Of course Sebastian would choose the place most special and most intimate to the two of them; it made every other idea pale in comparison.
And his words. His beautiful words that Minka tried to soak in despite feeling light headed with a joy she had never felt before. If a moment had ever taken her breath away - this was it. She nodded as he spoke, letting him know she was hearing him as he brought them through the journey that got him to this moment. Minka didn’t think it was possible but she could feel her love for the man expand with each account he gave. What a past they had both survived to get here, to be together. Her one hand grasped his tightly, squeezing it for assurance, as the other she could feel gently vibrating with adrenaline against her cheek.
Then, when he reached back and produced the small box that held the most gorgeous ring she had ever seen, Minka felt her breath catch in her throat and she swayed forward as a mixture of surprise, excitement, and pure happiness overcame her. Tears spilled from her eyes as they bounced from the ring to Sebastian’s face, his emotion undoing Minka even more. Taking her shaky hand she gently reached down and carefully wiped away his tear. Keeping her hand pressed to his cheek, Minka smiled at him adoringly, “I love you so much,” she sniffed. “Yes. A thousand times over - yes.” No word had ever come as easy, or felt as right as that simple three letter word. Even without seeing it, Minka was sure she was wearing the biggest brightest smile she ever had.
Sebastian swept his thumb over the knuckles of Minka’s hand, hers squeezing his tightly, as he spoke. The sight of her tears, although they were happy ones, was nearly enough to undo him as he continued to pour his heart out to the one person he trusted enough to protect it. Eyes widening, he braced their joined hands together tightly as she swayed, a chuff of laughter escaping him as wondered if that was a good sign when he showed Minka the ring he’d spent more than one afternoon agonizing over with Tony.
Warmth bloomed in his stomach as he felt her gentle fingertips sweep away the trail of moisture that ran down the side of his face, Sebastian pressing a dry kiss to the heel of her hand as it rested there. While he genuinely didn’t doubt that she would accept his proposal, the rush of excitement that rocketed through him as she answered in the affirmative, blinking slowly as another tear escaped and attempted to steal between their skin where it met. “I love you,” Sebastian answered, as he took the ring out of the box and slid it onto her left hand, “and I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together,” he said voice now shaking harder as his already turbulent emotional state met the rush of adrenaline flooding his system.
Ring settled, he took a moment to admire it on her hand before pressing his lips to her knuckles before standing - heedless of the cumbersome lifejacket still hanging around his neck, and cupped her face in both of his and kissed her properly, his own tears mixing with hers. Not able to pull her as close as he’d like, he stepped back; ripping the orange covered offender off of himself and dropped it on the ground next to them. Stepping back into Minka once more, he playfully dipping her backwards while kissing her soundly, infusing into it all of the happiness exploding inside him. He continued to ignore the world around them - the chirping of crickets, the jogger giving the two of them a wide, bemused berth, the far-off sound of someone unseen whooping in celebration - until the need for oxygen became too pressing, and gently brought them upright, not taking his hands off of her.
When Sebastian slipped the ring on her finger, Minka couldn’t help but stare, slack jawed. It was the most stunning thing that had ever adorned her body. “I - I can’t either. God, Seb, it’s so beautiful,” she breathed, still in a state of shock. Pulling herself back into the moment, Minka smiled as Seb stood, kissing him back with matched emotion. When he stepped back, she couldn’t help but giggle as he discarded the familiar bulky vest. Happy to be able to press closer against him, her hands found their way to either side of his face, keeping him nice and close as they kissed again.
Silently damning the need for oxygen when they had to finally pull apart, Minka’s hands traveled around to the back of his neck, hooking her fingers together. “Is this real life?” She asked rhetorically, looking up at him through her wet lashes; the most love drunk smile plastered to her face. “This feels too amazing to be real.” Giving a soft shake of her head, more laughter bubbled up from inside of her, “God, I’ve never felt this happy in my entire life.” Minka could feel warm tears breaking free and slowly rolling down her cheek. Of course she had so many questions: how long had he been planning this, who knew about it, and all the other little fun details that she’d eventually ask, but would let wait for now. Standing there together, in each other’s arms soaking up all the emotion of the moment, was the only thing that mattered currently.
“I didn’t know - do you like it?” Sebastian confirmed, “I - we can swap it out if you don’t; I was a bit in over my head,” he admitted with a rueful laugh and a wry smile. Leaning in to kiss her again, he used his thumbs to wipe away the tears that spilled over Minka’s cheeks. Skating his fingers down her arms as she wrapped hers around his neck, Sebastian gently gripped Minka’s hips, thumbs making gentle circles there. Elation wasn’t a word he often equated to his life, but it was singing in his blood as they stood in Central Park, peppering kisses to the damp skin of her cheeks.
Chuckling lowly as he brought one hand up to clear her face of another tear, he answered, “I hope it’s real,” before meeting her own lovestruck smile with his own. Part of him wanted to race and tell everyone they knew - mind briefly jumping from their families’ and friends’ reactions - and broadcast to everyone that this was it - the person who comes along once in your life that you have to cling to with everything you have. Another part of him wanted to stay frozen in this moment forever, to clutch close the feeling of overwhelming love and excitement he felt that they were going to be married, something he never thought would happen for him. “I love you,” he murmured again, resting his chin on her head as he pulled her in for a tight hug. “You and me, baby, forever,” he promised her in the rapidly fading light of dusk.
“Like it?” Minka asked exasperated. “Oh my God, its gorgeous, its - swap it? No way never.” She said firmly with a shake of her head, another wide toothy smile spread across her face. “Its perfect. I love it.” As they stood there together, exchanging small touches and soft kisses, Minka couldn’t help getting completely lost in his eyes every time Sebastian would look at her. She had always found comfort in them, a sense of home, but they way he looked at her with so much love and adoration was something she could barely wrap her head around; no one had ever looked at her quite like that. “I love you,” she said back with matched conviction, resting her head against his chest, breathing him in.
At his promise, Minka nuzzled in a little more, the soft fabric of his suit rubbing against her cheek, “I really like the sound of that.” She couldn’t think of anyone else she would rather do forever with than the man whose arms were currently wrapped around her. Her mind began swirling with all the next steps they’d take - moving in together, planning their wedding, where they could honeymoon - but it was all fun, exciting thoughts. The corner of her mouth pulled into a smile at a particular one and she just had to ask, “does your mom know?” Minka knew that if there was another person on the planet who would have matched enthusiasm about this, it would be his mother.
Pulling her closer to wrap his arms more securely around her, Sebastian hummed, pleased, deep in his chest. “As long as you like it,” he said quietly. Bringing up a hand to quickly brush away the lingering moisture in his own eyes before cupping the back of her head, he pressed another kiss to her silky brown hair as he carded his fingers through it.
“About that,” he pulled back slowly with a shark-like grin growing over his face, “the only reason I was able to surprise you is that I didn’t tell her about any of it,” he laughed. “Tony came with me to pick out the ring, and I spilled my ever-loving guts to Zach,” he said with a look that said ‘obviously’. Blushing, he broke eye contact to continue, “that overnight trip to LA? The Marvel meeting and had to practically insult you to talk you out of tagging alone?” Sebastian gave Minka an exasperated grin, tickling his fingers under her chin, “that was me going to ask Rick for his permission to propose to you,” he smiled fondly. “Which I think he appreciated - and said yes, for the record,” he teased, “but Ma is completely in the dark about the whole thing,” the sly grin returned to his face.
“None of them knew I was doing this tonight,” he admitted, carefully omitting Chace’s involvement to save one last surprise for another point down the line. “And I can’t tell you how many times I nearly broke and asked you, especially at my folks on Easter,” he laughed at the weeks of his own desperate attempts to find the right time. “I thought since I got to tell Tony and Rick that you should get to tell one of our parents, too - so I saved what no doubt is going to be the craziest reaction for you,” he rolled his eyes fondly imagining his mother’s overzealous reaction. Laughing so hard he had to take a minute to pull himself together, “imagine how bad she is gonna freak.”
When Sebastian pulled back, Minka noted the grin he was sporting and with confession after confession her eyes grew rounder, “wait, wait, wait, oh my God!” Her hands flew to her mouth as she started to join in his laughter, “so, first of all, my dad kept a secret that long? Holy crap. But also, you really asked him?” Minka questioned, her small voice getting higher. She gave an approving nod, “that was incredibly sweet of you, thank you.” She leaned forward and kissed the cleft of his chin. She could only imagine how much that meant to her father. It made sense to her that Tony knew, and of course Zach would, but the fact that his mother was totally in the dark made Minka laugh just as hard as Sebastian. “Oh my God, I can’t believe it, she is going to freak out! It’s her Easter miracle!” Trying her best to compose herself, she shook her head, still smiling ear to ear, “Well, we’ll have to tell her soon because I have a feeling if we don’t she’ll sense something is up otherwise.”
Nodding with a mix of shared surprise and pride, Sebastian couldn’t keep his face-splitting grin in check as Minka clarified that he’d asked her dad. “Of course I asked him,” he said indulgently, “I wanted to do this right, and imagine the line of people waiting to kick my ass if I hadn’t,” winking at her to let her know he was only joking. Blushing ridiculously as she pressed a kiss to his chin, he gently nodded, not wanting to discourage her from more kissing, but letting her know he was listening. “She’s gonna go absolutely nuts,” he giggled, taking her left hand in his to admire how much better the ring looked there than in the box it’d be living in for almost a month. Pressing a kiss to her knuckles, he smiled down at her, “so what do you say we quit making a scene in the park, let me make eyes at you while you make some delicious pasta; then go revel in planning how we’re going to pull a fast one on her?” Sebastian propositioned, scooping the life vest off the ground, and tugging on Minka’s hand to join him running through the park, bursting with excitement and good news.
Four Simple Words: *comes on*
Me: *goes absolutely buck wild*
more typography practice, I quite like this one, it's very "me"
I just found out that Frank Turner is bringing his Lost Evenings festival to Dallas next year. I cant fucking wait. I have never been able to go because they're always held so far away. 4 days of shows. 4 days of letting everything go. 4 days of punk rock, mosh pits, making new friends and raising a giant fucking middle finger to all the bastards trying to ruin this beautiful world of ours. I haven't been to a concert since Nov 2019 for his No Man's Land tour. I cannot fucking wait.