The Lewis and Clark Expedition ❤️

Yesterday

John's POV

"Yesterday," I hummed as I run my fingers over the frets and strings of my guitar, "all my troubles seemed so far away."

I played the song over and over. It seems like it would bother me to play the same thing repeatedly, but the song was calming. The open sky was holding its breath as I sang. It felt like my heart was crying as well as the chords. I missed my home and mates. Kali was here, but she seemed more preoccupied with everyone else. I want nothing else than to close and open my eyes and I would be back in London.

I felt someone rest their arms around my shoulders and their cheek on the back of my head. I stopped playing and singing. My stomach had dropped. 

"Oh no, don't stop! That was beautiful!" Lewis exclaims, pulling away from his embrace of me.

My heart was pounding so loud, I'm sure he could hear it.

"But, I have to ask," he sits and a sheepish, dopey grin climbs across his face, "do you know any other songs?"

"Yeah," I stammer, flustered from how cute he looks. His hair is messy, and yet he still looks amazing, "I mean, Paul and I write most of the songs I have been playing."

Paul.

I hadn't even thought about him.

I am a terrible partner.

I had no piano or band but played "Dear Martha" to the best of my ability. I would look up periodically to gaze at Lewis. He was standing fully focussed on me and my music. His shining blue eyes seemed to have a bit of sky trapped in them. They were so bright and full of life. They greatly contrast Clark's deep hazel eyes that glow, not sparkle as Lewis's do. 

I finished the song and he sat in silence.

"W-was that good?"

"Yes!" Lewis shook his head as if to wake himself from a drowse, "Although, that song you kept playing again and again was better."

"I love Yesterday."

Prying my eyes from Lewis's face, I see Kali standing in front of the tent where she spent her night. She had her mustard beanie pulled over her dark locks already. She looked rather tired, but happy nonetheless. 

"I thought you liked Strawberry Fields?" I questioned in mock concern as she took a place next to Lewis. 

"That one too! I mean, all the songs you write really are the most beautiful songs I've ever heard," she beams.

"Well whatever it is, it woke us all up and we have ground to cover today," Clark grumbled, emerging from his tent and immediately turning around to take it down.

"Don't worry about him," Lewis muttered under his breath as he stands to mirror his partner, "He likes you, he just has trouble really showing affection."

He put his hand on my shoulder. In my head, it lingered for too long for it to just be a comforting pat. But then again, I don't even know if Lewis fancies guys or not. It took me so long to muster up the courage to even ask Paul that.

Paul would have had a jolly old time here. He was always trying to get me out on hikes with him. Though living in the city made being around nature a little harder, he would take me out occasionally and you could always tell how much he enjoyed it. 

Yeah. He would've loved it here.

On the "trail" again, it went like it had the day before, just this time we were walking downhill. The view going down was spectacular but soon we had reached flat land again. Clark was in the front, walking swiftly, stopping every minute or so to stoop and draw a flower, leaf, or bush.

Kali nudged me about the hundredth time we stopped to wait for Clark.

"That drawing looks amazing Wills," Lewis nudged his shoulder with his knee, "looks about like every single other plant that sprouts from the dirt." 

A small smile escaped Clark's firm lips, but he pushed it away as soon as it had broken.

"Hey," He retorted as he rose to face his partner, or as well as he could due to Lewis's height. Lewis raised his eyebrow, obviously enjoying looking down at the redhead. "If I have to talk to girls so you can sketch them, we can stop to do our job."

He shoved past Lewis, blushing a bit, but not awful. Lewis laughed and walked at a more easy pace; ours. Kali nodded toward Clark. Right.

I spead up to match the frontier man, "Hey, sorry about yelling at you yesterday. I'm also super stressed. I mean, I am from the twentieth century and now I' stuck here somehow. I'm stuck in America too, of all places. I only have my guitar and the songs I carry in my head, and you don't even seem to enjoy those either-"

"What gave you that impression?" Clark interrupted, genuinely confused.

"Well, you got angry when I asked about Yankee Doodle and you weren't a fan of me playing this morning-"

"No, only because it woke me up. Trust me, your voice is heavenly," He paused be picking up again. I could hear both Kali and Lewis laugh behind me and felt a twisted feeling in my stomach. "I only wish we had a piano. Then you could play my favorite."

"Which is?" I inquired, suddenly more interested. This is how I connect with those I care about. Music. Part of the reason my bandmates and I got along so well.

Instead of just telling me, Clark started singing. 

"My days have been wonderous and free," Clark closed his eyes but continued walking. His voice was fuller than I had imagined. It flew through the air like a horn but was still rather light.

"The little birds that fly," Lewis jogged up to stand next to Clark. I fell back, listening to the two men sing. From what I heard, the bass line Lewis sang underneath Clark's rising melody was clumsy, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

"I lent a sigh to them!"

The two men locked eyes as they ended the song and burst out laughing. 

I'll have to learn that someday.