A/N: Thank you all so much for the reviews for the first part! I wasn't planning to make this anything more than a one shot, but I decided to give writing another chapter a try. Sorry it took so long to update, it took a while to figure out how to put down the thoughts in my head. I hope you enjoy this part as well! Just FYI, there are small, small spoilers for Les Miserables. I tried to keep any discussion about the movie vague, just in case. The title for this section comes from the song "I See the Light" from Tangled, which I may or may not have been watching while working on this (okay, I was.) I hope you all enjoy!
"All That Time, Never Truly Seeing Things The Way They Were"
When Jesse had agreed to let Beca plan their second (of hopefully many) dates, he'd assumed that he'd be in for a night of going to hole in the wall record shops and pretending to be too cool to care about anything. But she surprises him by informing him that she's taking him to the local movie theatre to see some new shoot-'em-up action movie, which are apparently the only types of movies Beca can sit through because there's little romantic subplot and lots of people being shot with bullets. Jesse finds this new information to be surprising, yet somehow not, considering the fact that he's quickly learning that he can't take anything about Beca for granted.
When they get to the movie theatre, the bored looking high school kid behind the Plexiglas informs them that the movie is sold out, sorry (even though Jesse doesn't think he looks very sorry).
Beca pouts, an expression of disappointment on her face as they step away from the ticket booth to discuss their options. "I really wanted to see that one. I heard it's like an hour and a half of pure bloodshed."
Jesse laughs, snapping his fingers in mock disappointment. "I can't believe we have to miss that. Though I heard there's a particularly shady area downtown where we could probably see an hour and a half of bloodshed."
Beca rolls her eyes at him but she's trying not to smile, so Jesse considers it a victory. "I left my gun at home so…"
"Yeah, I never go into a fight without a gun." Jesse nods. "Good thinking."
"Well, we're already here. There has to be something else you want to see, movie-boy." Beca gestures toward the line of posters on display beside where they're standing outside the theatre.
Jesse puts a hand over his heart. "You'd be willing to sit through a movie? For moi?"
Beca shrugs. "I might fall asleep. So, you know, if that's a risk you're willing to take."
"I'll only wake you up if you start to snore." Jesse solemnly swears.
Of course there are quite a few movies that Jesse has been wanting to see. Unfortunately, the showtimes aren't exactly matching up for most of them and Jesse fears that if they have to wait around for too long, then Beca will change her mind and he won't be able to get her within thirty feet of a movie theatre ever again.
Beca gives him a doubtful look when he points out the only movie starting within ten minutes. "You want to see that one?" She questions, wrinkling her nose.
Jesse shrugs. "It's supposed to be really good. It's a famous story." He points out.
"Yeah but…isn't there…like…tons of singing?" Beca questions, looking at the poster as though she can learn all the film's secrets from the simplistic image.
"You're in an acapella group." Jesse points out. "Your life is kind of like a musical."
"That's different." Beca points out. "It's not…cheesy." She's never been a fan of musicals, in spite of her love of music, mostly because all the singing and synchronized dance numbers and happy endings set to swelling background music. It's never been her cup of tea.
Jesse mimics the unfortunately cheesy dance moves from the "Eternal Flame" part of the Bellas' old routine, shaping his hands into a heart and holding it over his chest with a plaintive look on his face. Beca swats at him, rolling her eyes. "Okay, fine. Fair point." She shrugs. "If that's what you want to see…" She gestures toward the ticket booth.
Jesse raises an eyebrow. "You're not going to, like, kill me halfway through it, are you?" He questions. "Or refuse to talk to me if I make you sit through it, right?"
"I'll try and refrain," Beca assures him, "but no promises."
Even though he agreed to let Beca plan the date, Jesse pays for their tickets, hoping that that'll be a point in the positive column if she does end up hating the movie. At least she won't be able to complain about the wasted money.
"So what is this movie even about?" Beca questions, eating a handful of the popcorn that Jesse buys at the concession stand. He also hands her a large soda and a box of candy to hold while he fishes out of his wallet. "Got enough food there?"
"You have to have snacks when you go to the movies." Jesse replies. "Don't you know anything." Beca sticks her tongue out at him. "And you really have no idea what Les Miserables is about?"
Beca gives him a look. "Do I look like the type of person who knows anything about this movie?"
"It's like a classic story. The play is famous. So is the book for that matter." Jesse says as they walk down the hall toward the appropriate theatre. Beca gives him another, slightly more annoyed look and he quickly adds, "It's about the French Revolution. Sort of. Lots of people with shitty lives, lots of singing. I think that just about covers it."
"A history lesson set to music. Great." Beca remarks, following Jesse down one of the aisles to seats right in the middle. She glances around. "There's like no one here."
Jesse glances over his shoulder. Only two other seats are occupied by an older couple who seem to be waiting impatiently for the movie to begin. He shrugs. "It's been out for a few weeks."
Beca gives him a doubtful look. "I think you picked a dud Movie Boy." She remarks. "At least no one will care when I fall asleep."
"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that." Jesse remarks, leaning in closer. "They look like a couple of fire crackers." He whispers, tipping his head in the direction of the couple behind them.
Beca casually glances over her shoulder and laughs, clearing her throat and turning back around when the man glares at her and holds a finger up to his lips. "I see what you mean."
While they wait for the previews to start, Beca munches on popcorn and lets her shoulder rest against Jesse's. She never really went out to the movies in high school, not even on dates, preferring to spend her weekend evenings at someone else's place, making out on the couch instead of in a darkened theatre. She wonders if Jesse's the type of guy to steal a few kisses in between scenes and feels that familiar thrill at the idea of kissing him. It's been two weeks since their first date and even though they haven't left campus, they've still found plenty of chances to see one another. Since Bellas rehearsal is over until fall, Beca has a suddenly wide-open schedule and she's fine with spending the majority of her time with Jesse. Even if they're studying or just lounging around working on their respective laptops, she can't complain. Of course, when they're touching and kissing…she has even less complaints.
The lights dim in the theatre and the trailers start and Beca glances at Jesse out of the corner of her eye. His attention is focused on the screen and she's pretty sure he's not even blinking. Clearly he's not the type of make out through an entire film. It's as cute as it is dorky, she has to admit. She knows from experience that Jesse is as passionate about all areas of his life as he is about the movies that he watches. It's nice to have someone around who's attentive to the things she says and understands her dreams and is supportive of them. A girl could get used to it.
Beca quickly regrets her decision to let herself get talked into sitting through a movie when fifteen minutes later the movie hasn't even started and she's sitting through yet another coming attraction preview. Why are there so many? And seriously, who lets Tom Cruise keep making movies?
Jesse reaches over and puts his hand on her knee, which Beca hadn't even realized that she's been anxiously jiggling up and down since the end of that ridiculous looking trailer about the fairy tale characters who fight witches. "Are you okay?" Jesse questions, leaning in to whisper to her even though it's not like there's anyone around who'll be disturbed by their talking. Though that elderly couple looks like they don't play around.
"Oh, yeah. I'm just bored." Beca informs him, figuring there's no need to sugarcoat it. He knew what he was getting himself into. Even if the whole movie thing was her idea.
Jesse gives her a look. "The movie hasn't even started." He points out.
"Exactly!" Beca says a little loudly and is rewarded with shushing noises from behind her. "Why are there so many commercials?" She says, softer this time.
The trailers have never bothered him, so Jesse just shrugs. "I'm sure it'll start soon."
After what seems to Beca like five hours of coming attractions, the movie itself finally begins and she feels pretty much like she always does whenever she's forced to sit through a musical. Like she's suffering some sort of cruel and unusual punishment. At least there are no cheesy dance numbers to go along with the singing, but the fact that every single word is sung pretty much negates any positive effects. Beca once again finds herself watching Jesse out of the corner of her eye and, once again, his attention is focused on the screen. He looks like he's witnessing the Second Coming or something and Beca has the suspicion that he would have been just as happy seeing the movie on his own. It was probably on his to-do list.
Beca taps him on the shoulder and Jesse looks away from the screen reluctantly, leaning in closer. "If this is a movie about France, why do all the people have British accents?" She questions. Jesse hopes she doesn't notice the way that he shivers when her breath tickles his skin.
Jesse shrugs, even though he has to admit that's a valid point. "Just…watch." He says instead, turning his attention back toward the screen.
Beca tries to pay attention, she honestly does. She even has to admit that a few of the songs aren't so bad. But she quickly find herself paying more attention to the popcorn and the expressions on Jesse's face instead of what's going on in the movie. Somewhere around the time when Jean Valjean rescues the young Cosette from her horrible foster family, Beca shifts closer to Jesse, resting her head against his shoulder. He adjusts his position so that his arm is around her and she's snuggled quite comfortably against him. So who can blame her if she does happen to fall asleep, lulled by the sounds of the brewing French Revolution.
When Beca opens her eyes once more, she's surprised to find herself still in the theatre with the movie still playing. She felt like she'd been asleep for hours, but clearly the musical has the power to outlast even her naps. Beca rubs at her eyes, glancing at the screen and then over at Jesse.
"Are you…crying?" Beca questions, raising her eyebrows. Jesse quickly rubs at his eyes, but the damage is done. "You totally are."
"It's sad, okay." Jesse points out defensively. "I think it would have moved even your robot heart if you hadn't been sleeping."
Beca shrugs, picking up the popcorn bucket once more. "Probably not."
Despite Beca's nap, the movie still trucks along like she hadn't missed any time at all. She does get a little more interested when the actual fighting begins, but that's over quickly and it's back to singing and depression.
When the movie is finally over, Beca practically jumps out of her seat, handing the empty popcorn bucket over to Jesse. "Thank God, I've had to pee for like four hours."
Jesse rolls his eyes. "It wasn't four hours long." He points out.
"It felt like it." Beca says, hurrying out of the theatre and ducking into the ladies' room. When she comes back out, she announces, "I'm starving. Let's grab food."
"You just ate like an entire thing of popcorn." Jesse points out, holding up the empty bucket for proof. "Are you really hungry?"
"That was boredom munching." Beca informs him. "Now I need real food."
"So I feel like it's safe to assume that you didn't enjoy the movie." Jesse remarks as they walk out of the theatre. It's dark now and the streets are bathed in the hazy orange glow of the streetlights. Most of the storefronts are dark but the nearby presence of the college means that they won't have any trouble finding somewhere to eat because there's always somewhere open, even late into the night so that the dedicated studiers or partiers can find food.
Beca shrugs. "I mean, it wasn't so bad." Jesse gives her a suspicious look. "It would have been better if there wasn't a happy ending."
Jesse stops walking and stares at her. "A happy ending? Seriously? Did you even watch the movie at all? Like everyone died. Like everyone."
"Yeah, but there was a wedding at the end and everyone finally got what they deserved and I don't know it just seemed a little out of place to me." Beca shrugs once again, trying to put her thoughts into words. "It didn't seem like the type of movie that should have a happy ending."
Jesse is looking at her with an incredulous expression and something else Beca can't entirely put her finger on but she's not sure that she wants to know. It's a sort of expression that she's never seen on his face before, except for the time when she'd shown up at his dorm room to apologize for yelling at him and he'd looked at her like she wasn't even speaking English.
"So you don't think that after all of that, after everything all the characters went through that they didn't deserve a happy ending?" Jesse finally questions and Beca can't help but have the suspicion that he's not saying what he really wants to.
"I…no. I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that sometimes in life there aren't happy endings. Even though you go through a whole bunch of crap and bad things happen to you, you don't always get a happy ending. You're not guaranteed one or anything." Beca replies. "That's why movies are stupid."
Jesse purses his lips. "First of all, movies aren't stupid. There's nothing wrong with there being a happy ending. Because you're right, sometimes life is horrible and bad things happen to you and I get that, Beca, and I know that you feel like life has been pretty shitty for you so far but that doesn't mean that you have to become on those cynical people who'd rather be angry than try and move on and have a happy ending. Because I do believe that there are happy endings, even after things are bad for a while. And I'm sorry if you don't but I'm not going to let you make me feel like I'm an idiot for looking at the bright side of things."
Without waiting for her to respond, Jesse turns and starts back in the direction that they came, leaving Beca staring after him with her mouth slightly open in surprise. "No…Jesse…that's not…" But her words are falling on deaf ears. She watches as his disappears, trying to figure out how things escalated so quickly.
Beca thinks about trying to go after him, to explain herself or maybe try to wrap her head around the sudden turn in conversation, but she's never been the type to chase after anyone and, to be honest, she's not even sure she can explain. And who says that she has to explain herself anyway? Just because her point of view doesn't match his doesn't mean that she's wrong, after all. Beca spends the majority of the ride back to campus convincing herself of this fact and by the time she lets herself into her empty dorm room, she's almost managed to convince herself that she's completely in the right. After all, she was just expressing her opinion. She doesn't have to consider life all sunshine and rainbows and people singing as they ride off into the sunset. So there.
Beca tosses her purse onto the bed and flops down in her desk chair, turning on her computer, sliding on her headphones and trying to lose herself in her music. Normally, it's her perfect escape. Normally, she can sit here for hours and just listen to the music speak to her. She's aware that this sounds incredibly corny but it's the best way she can think to describe it. It's like she's hearing more than just the lyrics of the song, listening to the very backbone of each song and there's nothing like realizing how two songs that sound like they have nothing in common fit together like puzzle pieces.
But even thinking about that makes her think of Jesse. Because their differences should keep them from fitting together and yet she's never felt happier than when she's with him. Sure he might get on her nerves sometimes but she's sure that she's no picnic either, especially thanks to her tendency to blurt out the first thing that comes to her mind. Which Beca is pretty sure is what's to blame for their little blow-up outside the movie theatre.
Try as she might, Beca can't keep herself from thinking about Jesse. She turns up the music on her headphones until it's almost unbearable but it still doesn't quiet her thoughts. Beca keeps replaying their conversation over and over in her head, becoming one of those girls who pays attention to inflection and what certain word choices might mean. She can't decide if Jesse's storm out was just for dramatic effect or if it was his way of letting her know that he's done trying to make this thing with her work. That idea unsettles her more than she thought possible. She'd thought that she was lost after leaving the Bellas but that's nothing compared to how she's feeling now. The thought of not seeing Jesse anymore, of not talking to him or hearing him laugh or kissing him or watching movies with him or listening to him talk and…this is not okay.
Beca grabs her keys and heads out of her dorm again, starting across campus. She has no idea how late it is or how much time has passed since she and Jesse parted ways but it hardly seems important at the moment. The campus is eerie so late at night and if her classmates are spending their time partying, they're doing it inside tonight. Beca walks the familiar path to Jesse's apartment, trying to convince herself that if she's hurrying it's just because she's eager to talk to him, not because she's convinced herself that she's being followed and is about to be kidnapped and killed.
It's only when she gets to his building that she realizes her mistake. Only residences have the keys that allow them access into the dorms and she's either always been with Jesse or managed to follow in behind someone whenever she's come to visit. The building looks pretty silent, making the possibility of getting someone else to let her in pretty slim. Beca figures that calling Jesse to come down and let her in would pretty much ruin the dramatics of showing up unannounced at his place.
Beca paces in front of the door, trying to figure out her next move. She could just wait until morning, but she feels like if she doesn't say what she has to say now then it's going to be too late. She could just call, that would make things a lot easier.
Someone reaches out to grab her shoulder from behind and Beca can't help but scream, whirling around so fast that she nearly trips over her own feet and goes crashing to the ground. "Whoa, sorry." Jesse quickly holds up his hands, looking guilty. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
Beca lets out a slow breath, pressing her hand to her chest, feeling the rabbit beating of her heart. "Jesus. You didn't think that grabbing me when I was completely oblivious to your presence would scare me?" Jesse gives her a guilty sort of half smile. "You're lucky I didn't have my official rape whistle."
But Jesse doesn't seem like he's in the joking mood. "What are you doing here Beca?"
"What am I doing here?" Beca raises an eyebrow. "What do you think? I came to talk to you." She's only seen him this serious a few times before, cementing her fears that things might be more permanent than she'd like.
"I feel like we've done enough talking." Jesse informs her, but he doesn't sound angry, just tired, as though he finds the whole thing exhausting. "I heard you pretty loud and clear."
Beca shakes her head. "No, you didn't. I didn't…I still have more to say." She forces her voice to sound assertive and strong, not worried and hesitant, which is how she feels inside.
Jesse looks like he's going to argue some more, but he just pulls out his key card and swipes them in, holding the door for her like a true gentlemen. They don't say anything as they walk up the three flights of stairs to his floor. Beca can hear the noises of life around them: the muffled sounds of TVs and playlists drifting under the doors, mingling with the occasional laugh.
"Where's Benji?" Beca questions when Jesse's room proves to be devoid of human presence.
"Studying." Jesse replies. "He wants to make the Dean's List."
Beca lets out a low whistle. "Wow, over-achiever." She mutters and Jesse gives her a look. "In a good way." She assures him. "I mean that's…that's…awesome." She trails off, looking at Jesse as though she expects him to initiate the conversation that she insisted on having.
Unfortunately Jesse doesn't offer her any help. He just gives her a come on type gesture and Beca does not like this closed-off version of Jesse. He's always reminded her of a puppy: friendly, eager to please, tail always wagging. This is not her Jesse.
"Look…I…" Beca pauses, trying to collect her thoughts. "I…I'm not going to say that I was wrong because I believe some of what I said. I'm not just going to stop being cynical and bitchy over night. I think it's part of who I am. But I…I don't want to be like this all the time. So maybe if you can be patient with me…we can reach some sort of middle ground."
Beca feels like an idiot. She's never been the type to just start pouring her feelings out. It's harder than it looks. She turns away from Jesse, pacing the length of his room in hopes that not looking at him will make it easier to speak. She misses the hint of a smile that threatens to appear on his face.
"And I don't think you're an idiot because you like movies or happy endings or puppies or whatever. It's part of what I really like about you." Beca gives all of her focus to her hands as she paces and it makes it easier to pretend like she's talking to thin air. "And I like spending time with you and getting coffee and I even kind of like it when you walk me to class and you're waiting when my class is over, even though it's kind of a cheesy. And when I thought about not getting to do any of that stuff with you again, it pretty much sucked and I really don't want to lose you because of something stupid I said and-"
Beca's monologue is interrupted when Jesse comes to stand in front of her, interrupting her pacing by putting his hands on her shoulders. Beca looks up at him, surprised.
"You're going to wear a hole in the floor." Jesse remarks, a smirk on his face and Beca feels a sense of relief start to bubble in her chest. "Beca, I don't want you to change who you are. Your snark is part of what I like about you too. And I do like you. A lot. Like a lot a lot. And I think we have something special and I don't want to just throw that away because you're too pessimistic to believe in a good thing."
Beca sighs. "I…it's hard. Sometimes. I just think about my parents and it seems impossible to believe that anything can last forever."
"I'm not promising forever here." Jesse points out. "But I think we could give it a good shot. If you believe in happy endings."
Beca laughs, covering her face with her hands as she shakes her head. "Oh my God. This is so cheesy." She looks up at him. "I cannot believe you just said that."
Jesse slides his hands down her back, pulling her closer to him. "Don't even pretend like you don't like it." He leans in to kiss her.
Beca reaches up to slip her hand around the curve of his neck. "Yeah, maybe just a little bit."
Jesse stops, his lips just brushing hers. "Just a little?" He arches an eyebrow, moving to pull away.
But Beca won't let him. "Okay, maybe a lot." She pulls him in for the kiss, trying to keep herself from smiling against his lips but figuring that she's not doing a very good job. "I would have really missed this too." She admits when they separate.
Jesse smiles. "Oh yeah, me too." He pulls her to him again, kissing her. "I'm not too crazy about the fighting, but I could get used to the making-up."
Beca feels like she couldn't have said it better herself.
"You had to know this day was coming." Jesse informs Beca with mock seriousness. "When you put me in charge of the dates, you know what we're going to end up doing." He holds up a DVD, grinning like a pleased little boy.
Beca tries not to make a face. "Yes, I have accepted my inevitable Movie Education." She assures him. "I was even thinking about Inception when I should have been taking my biology final. But…seriously…" She looks at the movie in his hand. "Seriously? Isn't that a kids' movie?"
Jesse looks offended. "A good movie has not age limits." He assures her. "You're going to love it. It's like the ultimate happy ending movie." He gestures for her to sit down on the bed and he grabs his laptop, popping in the movie and snuggling up beside her.
Beca rests her head against his shoulder and his arm slides around her, his hand resting on her hip. This is definitely her favorite part about her Movie Education. She picks up the DVD case, studying the picture on the front. "Look, maybe this is going to surprise you, but I was never the Disney Princess type."
Jesse gives her a shocked look. "What? You? Say it isn't so!" Beca swats him with the DVD. "Just trust me, okay? You'll like this one."
The opening scene for Tangled starts, and Beca pretty much stops her protesting after the first ten minutes. Jesse's pretty sure that she hasn't been this quiet during any of the movies he's forced her to watch over the past few weeks, not even the Kill Bill movies, which he thought would cater to her apparently violent tastes. He finds himself watching her out of the corner of his eye more than he watches the actual movie, which is definitely a first for him. Sure, he might have seen this movie a few (dozen) times but he normally hates to miss a scene. Now, watching Beca watch the movie is much more entertaining.
By the end of it, there are definitely tears. "Oh my God, are you crying?" Jesse teases, putting his laptop aside. "You are totally crying." He tickles her in the side.
Beca wiggles away from him, quickly wiping at her eyes. "What? No…I'm not…" She looks at him. "It was sad okay? But good sad. I'm sure you've cried at that movie before." She points out.
Jesse neither confirms nor denies that statement. "So you didn't think she should have remained locked in the tower forever? You didn't think Flynn should have died? You…you're actually okay with a happy ending?"
Beca rolls her eyes at him. "You want me to say it? Fine: happy endings are…not that bad. Cheesy. But not bad."
Jesse looks pretty pleased with himself. "I told you that you were going to like it. I am the master of planning our dates."
Beca just shakes her head. "Well, what's next then Date Master?" She teases.
He shrugs. "Maybe food? We can walk to the Commons." Jesse suggests, naming the campus buffet style restaurant.
Beca thinks for a minute and then shakes her head. "I think I have a better idea." And she pulls him in for a kiss.