Title: Music and Memories
Author: Aiko Namika
Fandom: Gundam Wing
Warnings: Quiet, reflective, creative license used in a bit of Quatre's past
Pairings: None
Disclaimer: Not mine.
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"Hey Quatre – who taught you to play the piano?"
"Huh? What?" Quatre looked up and met the eyes of the other, startled out of his concentration.
"Who taught you to play the piano? I mean, was it a tutor, or one of your sisters, or did you teach yourself, or-"
"My father," he interrupted, before the list could go on and on.
"…what?"
"My father taught me how to play the piano. One day he deliberately took time off from work and we sat down together at the old grand piano, and he taught me how to play. After that, I'd study whatever lessons he gave me on the piano until I thought I had them down pat, and then I'd play them for him in the evening. If he thought I was ready to learn something new, then he'd take a few hours off of the next day to teach me." The blond ran his fingers lightly over the keys, taking care not to press down on them. "It was…one of the kindest things he ever did for me, I think, and the most wonderful gift of all."
"How so?"
"Well, a physical gift can eventually fall apart, or be lost. And an emotional one, while treasured, can occasionally be overwhelmed or forgotten amidst the rest of the memories that build up. But something like knowing how to play a piano is knowledge that I can take anywhere – whenever I play it, I'm reminded of that time with him. It was one of the few times that I was ever truly happy with him, and not obsessed with my own self importance – or lack of it." A sudden smile flashed across his face, lighting his features up as he turned to look at his companion. "I think that might have been because…well, because this was something that was mine, and mine alone. Many of my sisters play as well, but Father never taught any of them personally. So it was something I treasured above all else."
"Wow…I wish I had something like that to remember," the other murmured, chin resting on folded arms.
"I think that you might…somewhere. You just haven't recognized it yet."
A comfortable silence passed as the two reflected on the conversation, and the thoughts and emotions it had brought up.
"Hey, Quatre?"
"Yes Mariemaia?"
"Play something for me…please?"
A smile was his answer, and then the music poured forth once again.
-end-
Comments and responses always welcome!