Sonata for Two Pianos.

[longwinded]

["We're going to have you do a recital with another student on campus, very talented, just as talented as you. He's different but we know you'll work together just fine." Said your private piano teacher. You knew who he was, and what he was all about. You two were practically the most often praised musicians on campus. But you had never spoken with him, or given him the time of day. You were always holed up in your practice room before you went home to perform your songs for Dad, who lived close to campus to make sure you were doing your work. You're sure you're way over your amount of practice hours for the semester- what could one recital hurt?

So you agree. You, John Egbert, are going to perform a recital with another pianist you've never met face to face with until now. A first year student at that, as if you have so much seniority over him.

Your fingers rest easy over the keys, you let your fingers do what they've always done. Glide over the ivories to finish off yet another practice session- Chopin was your composer of choice today. Bach was yesterday, perhaps Beethoven tomorrow if you've been good. Your day isn't done, you have to meet him somewhere. You gather your music and clock your time, your instructor said to wait in the practice hall. Your new duet partner would bring the music for you to play today.

So here you stand.]

Comments

[longwinded]

[Soon enough they're back at John's house, and he walks in. He waves for Dave to come in and follow him. There is a room a little bit down the hall that has two pianos in it. One older, and one newer. John sits at the older one since it is the one he is most used to.]

You can start this time, if you want. Whenever you're ready.

[knightime]

[Dave takes a seat at the other piano. He drops his bag next to the bench before slamming his fingers against the keys once.

He sits there for a moment before he starts playing. There's nothing gentle about his playing right now. Harsh played keys as though the piano were practically wailing.]

[longwinded]

[John actually struggles to play along, and then he just stops. Stops and turns on his bench. Crossing his legs and watching Dave. This was something he'd never seen before.

Dave was angry, and he could feel it.]

[knightime]

[It starts off so harsh and upset. Dave hasn't even noticed that John had stopped, engrossed in his piano playing.

The longer he plays though, the slower it eventually becomes. It becomes more gentle and soft. It just started to sound so incredibly sad. He started off so upset, but now that he was calming down, it just sounded kind of sad.

[longwinded]

[John takes this time to observe. He's never seen someone really actually convey their emotions into a piece. This wasn't even what they were supposed to be studying- it evolved into Dave's own creation at this point.

He doesn't speak a word, and waits for the other to finish. It would be rude to stop a pianist.]

[knightime]

[Dave finally slams his fingers against the keys before dropping his head into his arms. He's shaking up a storm and it looks like he's trying to curl up in against himself right now.

Yeah. This is probably a little awkward for John. Whoops.]

[longwinded]

[John didn't expect that at all, which is why he is understandably a bit startled. Once again he's going to stick his ass out and try to comfort Dave. No one needs to be alone during this.

He gets up and sits next to him on his piano bench.]

Dave?

[Gently, ever so gently. John makes a little contact by putting his hand on Dave's back and just rubbing a little.]

[knightime]

[Dave doesn't stop John from doing anything. He's trying not to be too obvious that he's started crying. Even if the sniffling is probably really obvious.

The worst part is knowing that once he goes home, he'll be alone again. Bro doesn't live close, and he's been living on his own.]

[longwinded]

[John doesn't want Dave to be alone though. He wants Dave to have someone. It's highly unlikely that John is going to let Dave leave at this point.

He scoots just a little bit closer, trying to loop his arms comfortably around Dave. Hugging isn't something he normally does so he is gonna give this a shot.]

[knightime]

[Dave doesn't think he really remembers being hugged, but he doesn't seem to mind. If anything, he shifts so he can wrap his arms around John.

But Dave can't stay here forever, John. He eventually has to go home and eventually work.]

[longwinded]

[For the time being he won't even say anything more. Just holding Dave until he thinks he is done crying. What he can do is rub Dave's shoulder gently and offer comforting squeezes.

This is how you comfort people...right?]

[knightime]

[Dave gently traces letters over John's back. It might be a bit hard for John to decipher but Dave was tracing S-O-R-R-Y over and over.]

[longwinded]

[It takes him a moment to figure it out. Then John holds him all the tighter.]

It's okay. It's alright. [don't apologize...]

[knightime]

[Dave settles down eventually. He makes these embarrassing hiccup sounds that he's obviously trying to stop, but can't. Oh no. Did he really get like this in front of John? This is fucking embarrassing. Oh shit.]

[longwinded]

[John at this point has rested his chin on Dave's head gently, holding him close. There is absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about. Really.]

[knightime]

[Dave finally pulls away. He's scrubbing at his face a bit and he's obviously avoiding eye contact with John. This is kind of really embarrassing to him.]

[longwinded]

[John wants to ask. He really wants to ask. But he doesn't, and he stays silent, a hand still on Dave's shoulder. Gripping gently. Signallign he could tell John if he wanted to.]

[knightime]

[He shakes his head. He doesn't want to talk about it. He's already done too much. He barely knows John. He can't just talk about it.]

[longwinded]

It's getting dark, if you wanna go back home I can walk you there?

[Bee tee dubs, he isn't taking no for an answer.]

[knightime]

[Dave holds out his hand to John. Give him your palm. He doesn't have paper and pencil with him right this moment.]

[longwinded]

[Well, uh, okay. He places his hand in Dave's, palm up. What is up dude. He is all eyes right now.]

[knightime]

No.

[Dave gets up and moves to pick up his bag. He doesn't want your charity.]

[longwinded]

[John kind of sighs. But they have to see each other in the coming days anyways. So he guesses he'll let Dave go this time.]

Noon tomorrow, alright? We'll just run over it. We're pretty much in sync with each other at this point.

[knightime]

[Dave slings his bag over his shoulder and just gives him a nod and thumbs up. He's just...gonna head towards the front door now. Thanks.]

[longwinded]

[Okay so plan "show Dave your favorite spot" kind of succeeded. But was also kind of a failure. Okay. John was going to have to pull out the big guns here. How does one go about making Dave comfortable and less tense?

A new red pen. Yes. One that hasn't been thrown across the room. one that he could use for a long time. Yes. Best plan. He would surprise Dave with that and coffee before their practice.]