Just A Notion

Chapter 20: Uncertain Returns

Björn was out of words. He just blankly stared at Agnetha, unable to form a response. "Now, if you'll excuse us.", she said lastly, abruptly letting go of his wrist and slamming the door shut.

Björn sighed, running a hand through his hair as he muttered under his breath. "Benny's going to love this..."

---

Björn drove to Benny's house in silence, his mind churning. The moment he had opened that door and seen Agnetha standing there in the doorway, keeping him from entering-and Frida behind her, he knew this situation is going to challenge them in a way no conflict had ever challenged them.

Will we get out of this? Will we find a solution?

Why wouldn't Agnetha let me talk to her?
I'm not as crazy as Benny, I just wanted to know if everything is fine. But seems like Agnetha doesn't understand that.

And why the hell did she mention our divorce? Was she still mad at me? I thought we were over that!

Björn had so many questions, so many thoughts rumbling around in his head. He wanted to help but Agnetha just didn't see that.

He didn't know how Benny would react, but it wouldn't be easy.

Benny was in the living room when Björn arrived, sitting on the edge of the couch with a half-empty glass of whiskey resting on the coffee table. His head lifted when Björn entered, and the tense, brooding look on his face deepened.

"Björn." His voice was flat. "What now?"
Björn didn't bother with small talk. He sighed heavily and dropped his keys onto the table, standing in front of Benny with his hands on his hips.

"They're back," Björn said.
Benny's eyes flicked up sharply. "What?"

"You heard me. Frida and Agnetha. They're back. Together." The words hung in the air like a blow. Benny stared at Björn as if he hadn't heard him correctly, his expression blank for a moment before his jaw tightened.

"They came back?" he repeated, his voice low.

"Yes," Björn replied calmly, watching the anger and pain flicker across Benny's face. "They're at Frida's apartment."

Benny stood abruptly, the glass rattling on the table as he rose. He turned away, walking toward the window and staring out into the cold, gray sky. His hands curled into fists at his sides.

"She didn't even try to explain," Benny said bitterly, his voice strained. "She just ran. And now she's back, with Agnetha, like-like none of it matters."

"It matters, Benny," Björn replied carefully, stepping forward. "It matters to all of us. But it's not something you can control."

Benny turned sharply, his eyes blazing with unspoken hurt. "They didn't even give us a chance to understand!"

"Frida gave you that chance," Björn said, his voice firmer now. "She tried. But you were too angry to listen."

Benny fell silent at that, his expression faltering for a moment before he turned back toward the window. He exhaled sharply, the tension rolling off him like waves crashing against a shore.

"I loved her," he muttered, almost to himself. "I still love her."

Björn sighed, his tone softening. "I know you do. But loving someone doesn't mean you can hold them back when their heart is somewhere else."

Benny flinched, and the room fell into a heavy silence. The truth of Björn's words weighed on him, but he didn't have the strength to argue. Instead, he swallowed hard and ran a hand through his hair.

"So what happens now?" he asked finally, his voice quieter.

Björn shrugged slightly. "We figure it out. We don't have to like it, Benny, but we have to work through it-together. The band matters too much to all of us to throw it away because we can't handle our emotions."

Benny scoffed bitterly. "Easy for you to say. You didn't find your wife with someone else." Björn met his gaze evenly. "No. But I know what it feels like to lose her anyway."

Benny turned away again, his shoulders slumping as if the weight of everything was finally pressing down on him. He didn't respond, and Björn didn't push him further. He knew that Benny needed time to process it all-time to grieve, time to accept.

"Just think about what I said," Björn added gently, moving toward the door. "They're not trying to hurt you, Benny. They're just trying to find a little happiness in all of this."

Benny didn't reply, but as Björn left, he could see the faintest crack in the walls Benny had built around himself.

---

Frida and Agnetha sat together in the living room, the warmth of the fire crackling softly in the background. They hadn't left the apartment all day, too exhausted to face the world outside.

Frida rested her head on Agnetha's shoulder, her voice quiet as she spoke. "Do you think they'll ever forgive us?"

Agnetha kissed the top of her head gently. "I don't know. But it doesn't matter as much as this-us."

Frida smiled faintly, turning to look up at her. "You really mean that?", she said quietly.

"I do," Agnetha replied firmly. "I spent too long worrying about what people think, about what's 'right'. But being here with you, Frida... this feels right. This is what I want. Even if that means I have to fight Benny and Björn to let us be together.", Agnetha chuckled and smiled down at Frida mischievously.

Frida's eyes softened, tears threatening to fall again. She reached up, cupping Agnetha's cheek. "I don't deserve you," she whispered.

Agnetha shook her head, leaning in to press a soft kiss to her lips. "You deserve everything," she murmured against her mouth. Frida's lips curved into a smile before Agnetha captured them again.

The kiss was slow, deliberate, a lingering brush of lips that sent shivers down Frida's spine. It was soft at first, tasting, getting a feeling of one another- then deeper, a gradual surrender. Agnetha's hand found the curve of Frida's jaw, her fingers tracing the delicate line of her neck, while her heart pounded in time with Frida's.

Their bodies fit together as if the universe had conspired for this moment alone. Agnetha gracefully but slowly moved her body closer and went to sit on Frida's lap. Frida broke their contact for a moment, looking up at Agnetha, watching her every move, wondering where she was going with that.

Agnetha noticed Frida's curiosity and smiled widely back at her as she caressed Frida's neck. She drew closer and stopped just before her woman's face and whispered: "This is the first time we're French kissing."

Confused, Frida stared up at Agnetha who couldn't control her smiling. "But we haven't-" Agnetha cut her off as she closed the distance between them once again.

Their lips met in a slow, lingering touch before parting just enough for their tongues to gently explore and tease.

A rush of warmth spread through them as their breaths mingled, hands pulling each other closer in an intoxicating embrace.

When they parted, they sat together in silence, holding each other close as the firelight danced across the walls. There was no need for talking. That day, so many things happened, so many things they had to take in, it was best for them to rest and to not worry too much about the future.

Whatever the future might bring, they knew they had each other. That's really all that mattered. They would face whatever came next together. No more running and hiding.

But they also knew that Benny and Björn weren't done yet.

Are they willing to accept the truth? For the sake of their group?- Their friendship?