megalobun

You stumble over the same measure again. 

He sighs, exasperated at your stupidity. 

“You idiot,” he says, “this finger, here.” He taps your hand. “How many times till you get it?”

You pout, not responding. 

“What? You've got a problem?” 

You stand abruptly, “I don't want to learn anymore.” 

You try to squeeze past the bench but he grabs your waist and sits you back down.

“Throwing a tauntrum- what are you, a little kid?” 

You mumble under your breath, “I'm not the one who throws tantrums.” 

"Huh?" he growls but he's gentle when pulling you closer to him. Your hips press against his. 

Still annoyed, you grab the hand on your waist and push it off. Even if you can’t leave, you can ignore him. 

The two of you sit in silence for a while. Then he sighs.

“If you have something to say, say it.” 

You cross your arms. “Even if I did, you'd have a problem with that too.” You mumble, “cause you’re a know-it-all.” 

“A know-it-all?” His brows lift.

“Yeah, a boring know-it-all.” But instead of firing back, he slowly leans his elbows on the piano, resting his temple against his palm. 

He watches you. "Finish your thought." His voice is surprisingly soft.

The lack of retaliation throws you off but you continue.

“You suck at teaching,”

"...And?" He waits.

Finally you admit your true thoughts, “I just… wanted to have fun with you.” 

That lands.

He looks at you differently. 

“So, you want me to be nicer?” 

“That's not what I-”

The bench creaks. He moves before you can finish.

His arms slide around yours, hands hovering over your fingers. 

“Then watch.” 

He lightly guides your fingers to the correct position. Each note he presses with you is warm. Gentle. Patient.

He plays the entire piece like that- wrapped around you, chin brushing your hair. 

When the last note fades, he doesn’t pull away.

“Still upset?” He whispers, close to your ears. 

You sigh. “How can I be?” 

He huffs softly– it was almost a laugh.

“Never learn, do you?” 

You roll your eyes, “If you’re critiquing my playing again–”

“Listen.” He laces his fingers into yours. Tight.

“I don’t take you being here for granted,” he holds his breath, “I know it won’t last forever.” 

You turn back to respond but he leans in quickly. A brief press of his lips against yours. Finished before you can process it.

“That’s all I’m gonna say.”

And just like that, he lets go, grabs his cigarette case, and escapes to the patio like nothing happened.