The Two Flames

I don't own anything but my OC's.

Summary: When Jack hears a certain instrument being played, he can't believe who's playing it.

Rated: K+

Genre: Family

Spoilers for: Cobwebs Tend to Make Friends on Halloween and Cobwebs Tend to Vanish on Halloween.

Takes place: After Cobwebs Tend to Vanish on Halloween.

Violin

Jack flicked through the pages of his new horror novel. He chuckled at the part where the monster killed one of the characters. To Jack Skellington, Pumpkin King and master of fright, horror films and books were like comedy.

Suddenly, a noise met Jack's imaginary ears. Slowly, he put his book down and made his way toward the stairs. He ascended them as quietly as he could.

Jack made his way down the hall quietly, being careful not to disrupt whoever was playing that beautiful sound. To his surprise, the sound was coming from Maverick's room. He pressed his ear to the door, recognizing the tune of 'This is Halloween'. Ever so carefully, he opened the door and peered inside.

Maverick stood in the middle of the room, a small, guitar-like instrument under his chin. He moved the bow over the strings, creating a hauntingly beautiful sound. His eyes were shut, so he obviously hadn't noticed his grandson in the doorway. His coat and hat were discarded and his hair was nicely combed and tied back.

Jack stood, mouth open and eye sockets wide. He never really expected Maverick to be so good with a violin. Considering all the time Maverick had had his body, he'd been a total klutz. Jack tilted his head. "…Maverick…?"

Maverick's eyes snapped open and he dropped the bow. "Bloody hell, Jack, you frightened the death out of me!" He bent down to pick up the bow.

Jack walked further into the room as Maverick stood up. "You never said you could play the violin…"

"Me?" Maverick asked ridiculously. "Play the violin? Never! This is one of those toy ones that let kids think they can play the violin!"

Jack crossed his arms. "I don't see any buttons."

Maverick paused. "…They're on the inside? It's battery powered."

"Maverick."

"Ok, fine. I can play violin." Maverick said, defeated. "Happy?" The sorcerer sat down on his bed.

Jack walked over and sat down beside him, glancing at the instrument on Maverick's lap. "I always sort of imagined you as a guitar-playing fellow…"

Maverick nodded.

"Why didn't you tell me you played violin? You're really good." Jack asked, smiling.

"Shut up." Maverick muttered, gently hitting Jack with the bow.

"I'm serious." Jack chuckled. "How did you learn?"

Maverick sighed. "Mum took me to Arachnid's house one day. He had a violin in the living room and I thought it was a guitar and tried to play it. Arachnid taught me how to play 'This is Halloween' on it and my passion for violins sort of grew from there."

Jack's smile widened.

"She's a beauty, isn't she?" Maverick asked.

It took Jack a moment to realize that the sorcerer was talking about the violin. Jack glanced at the instrument as Maverick gently stroked it. "Yes, she's…pretty."

"You should take better care of her, Jack. I found her in the attic, covered in spider webs."

"I didn't even realize I had a violin."

Maverick hummed thoughtfully. "I used to take my violin everywhere. When I was forced onto outings with Arachnid, I would play it to drown out his talking."

Jack laughed. "I see." He paused before asking: "Would you play again?"

Maverick shrugged. "It's not…too much of a racket?"

"Nonsense. It's beautiful."

Maverick let a smile play at his lips before placing the violin under his chin. He began playing 'This is Halloween' again.

Jack smiled as he watched his grandfather smile in serenity.

Maverick had his rough edges, but the violin, Jack realized, was his softer side.

…

Author's note:

Could anyone actually imagine Maverick playing something so sweet like a violin?