This Is The Way…
…That I say I need you
The steady beat of the drums was muffled by the studio walls but it still managed to produce a soothing sensation in him and he unconsciously relaxed. A melancholy mood settled over him as a soft, wistful piano piece drifted through the open doors. It seemed like Mystogan was practicing next door again, oblivious to how horribly it clashed with Gray's drumming. He opened his eyes as two figures strolled through the doors casually. The blue haired man raised a hand in greeting and but he only grunted in reply.
"Wanna come for a drink down at Hibiki's?" Jellal offered.
Gajeel ran a hand through his shaggy mane of jet black hair and shook his head. "Nah, got a lesson with this guy called Levy." He frowned at the name.
"Guy or girl?" Laxus grinned.
Jellal stuck his hands into his pockets and his eyes sparkled mischievously. "I would say girl." He nudged Laxus knowingly. "After all, what kind of guy calls himself Levy?"
Gajeel folded his arms and snorted in disbelief. "What kind of girl wants to learn rock and heavy metal on the guitar?"
The blonde chuckled and waved a hand dismissively. "Yeah, we'll know sooner or later," He clapped a hand on Jellal's shoulder. "Let's go, I need a break. All this music is pounding my brains out."
Mumbling a goodbye, the two of them left the studio.
Gajeel glanced at his watch. It was almost time for his lesson. Groaning audibly, he swiveled around in his chair and pushed him up, grabbing his treasured Gibson before he made his way towards Studio 1.
The music surrounded her gently, weaving tapestries of illuminating colour around her and she looked around in awe. Fairy Tail Studios were famous for their music courses as they were taken by well known musicians in the music industry. Somehow, she had managed to save up enough money for a single course spanning the course of four months and she had chosen rock and heavy metal with no one other than Gajeel Reitfox.
She walked along the bright corridors uncertainly, occasionally peering into different studio rooms as she attempted to find her room. After what seemed like ages, Levy finally managed to locate her room. She knocked on the door hesitantly. Hearing no reply, she pushed it open and found no one inside. Letting out a sigh of relief, Levy wandered into the room. At least she wasn't late for her first lesson.
A long rack lined with different coloured electric guitars was set up against the wall. Eyes widening with excitement, the blue haired girl strode forwards, her footsteps echoing across the room clearly as she made her way to the rack and reached out to select one when the door burst open.
A hulking figure stormed into the room, having kicked open the door with inexplicable ferocity. He was huge, with long raven hair tumbling messily down his back, and the black attire only served to make him look scarier. Numerous piercings covered his forearms, his ears and the bridge of his nose and Levy gaped at him, lost for words. It wasn't often that people looking like the yakuza burst into the room, seemingly ready to murder her.
He glared at her lazily and jerked his head towards the door roughly. "Get out of here Shorty, I got a lesson in here now."
Levy straightened up immediately. "You wouldn't be Gajeel Reitfox, would you?"
"What about it?" He asked and shrugged nonchalantly.
She smiled nervously. "I'm Levy. I have a lesson with you now."
Gajeel stared at her incredulously as his eyes took in her appearance. She had short blue hair which framed her face perfectly, bringing out her elegant features into sharp contrast. Her orange blouse hugged her curves tightly and he grinned as his eyes noted her lack of chest. She looked like a daddy's girl who was more content with spending time pouring over countless books on quantum physics or history than learning to jam on the guitar. He shook his head and booted the door shut behind him.
"Well, let's get started then."
Levy nodded feverishly and pulled up a chair for both of them. Gajeel grinned, his sharp fangs glinting under the bright lights and he handed his guitar to her.
"This isn't yours. Just hang on to it for a second." He growled.
The husky tone sent shivers down her spine and she looked away, her cheeks flushed a pinkish hue. Luckily for her, Gajeel was too busy scanning the rack for a suitable guitar for her to notice.
With a satisfied grunt, the man turned around and handed her a white Ernie Ball guitar as he took back his guitar. He slipped the black leather strap over his shoulder before gesturing for Levy to follow him.
They crossed the room to where two sets of amps and pedals were set up and he plugged both their guitars into the sets. Gajeel glanced at her briefly as he adjusted the pickups and the distortion pedals.
"So, any experience with playing the guitar?"
Levy shook her head. "No. I don't play any instruments."
He raised an eyebrow curiously. "And the first instrument you want to learn is the guitar. And rock no less. Interesting."
Levy laughed nervously and she tucked a strand of stray blue hair behind her ear. His crimson eyes softened into a warm red colour at the subtle gesture.
"Anyway," he started, "let's start with the basics then. The thickest string here is the E string and this one is the A string…"
Gajeel gestured at his guitar animatedly, tone softening as he fondled it gently, explaining the basics. It was a brilliant black Gibson Les Paul Studio, complimented by silver strings, shiny steel bridge and tailpiece and ebony tuning keys perched on top of a smooth Mahogany headstock. His eyes lit up with undulated joy as his fingers ghosted over the frets and Levy was almost certain that a crimson tinge highlighted his eyes as he stared at the guitar lovingly.
Despite his gruff nature, Levy found herself drawn to the man. He was cold and bad-tempered on the exterior, but there was something in his eyes that told her that there was something more to him. Something better.
She smiled at the thought. Well, if Gajeel looked at her the way he was looking at his guitar now, she was sure that she would melt into a puddle immediately.
"Hey Bookworm, you listening to me?" Gajeel barked.
Levy grinned sheepishly. "Of course."
He growled under his breath irritably but Levy could see the smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"So, I tend to teach people how to play the guitar by teaching them songs instead of chords. I find that players end up learning the chords through different songs anyway." Gajeel explained. He slapped his hands together and continued, "You're going to learn to play Animals by Nickelback. It's easy and simple. Four chords for the verse and the same four chords for the chorus plus three extra chords."
He adjusted the guitar slightly and his left hand molded into a familiar shape. The chord rang clearly around the room as he strummed downwards. "Middle finger on the seventh fret on the D string, ring finger on the seventh fret on the G string and index on the fifth on the A string."
Levy placed her two fingers on the strings gingerly and strummed once. The notes fell flat and she looked at him in confusion.
Gajeel almost burst out laughing at the sight of her sad puppy dog eyes. "You have to press down hard so that the strings touch the frets. All you're doing at the moment is just muting the strings."
Levy tried again and this time, the notes rang true. Her face broke out into a broad smile before she grimaced slightly.
"My fingertips are burning," she mumbled.
Gajeel took her hand in his and his eyes scanned across it quickly. Her hands were cool to touch and they were surprisingly soft. He blew on her fingers lightly and she blushed.
"Your fingers will hurt for some time before the skin thickens, just like mine." He stretched out his hand, palm facing upwards.
Levy accepted the silent invitation and stroked his fingertips gingerly. Looking up, her eyes locked with Gajeel's and her breath hitched in her throat. His eyes shone warmly, liquid brown in colour, and his face turned red as he pulled his hand back roughly.
"Anyway, second chord. Index, middle and ring finger on the third frets of the E, A and D strings." He continued gruffly and Levy giggled to herself.
This was going to be fun.
By the end of her three months' course, Levy had managed to remember just about all of the chords, could read tabs and chord diagrams and could play five songs all the way through. But still, Gajeel was tearing his hair out over her playing.
"What is this? Classical music?" He snarled angrily. "This is rock! Feel the energy behind it will you?"
He slammed down on the strings and the chord rang out loudly. "Play it like you're ready to go crazy! Be more aggressive!"
Levy swallowed and tried again but the notes sounded even meeker than usual. Gajeel's eyes flashed dangerously.
"Shorty..." he growled dangerously.
Levy frowned and stuck out her tongue at him. "Don't call me that." She stiffened slightly as he grinned wolfishly.
"Well short stuff," Gajeel said mockingly. "Everything I say is true." He could see her eyebrow twitch in annoyance and he added just for good measure. "Bookworm."
Levy's eyes narrowed and she glared at him. "Stop it."
Gajeel grinned. She was cute when she got riled up. "Come then, show me what you got." He stuck a finger in her face.
Levy began playing furiously, releasing her anger and annoyance and Gajeel grinned triumphantly. That's the spirit.
As the girl slowed down at the end of the song, Gajeel gave her a thumbs up. "That's more like it."
Levy's face reddened as she realized his plan and she hit him on the arm.
The man nodded in satisfaction. "Now you're set. Final lesson and you get everything nailed. Well done."
Levy mumbled something and Gajeel quirked an eyebrow at her. "So, that's it for your whole course. Are you going to continue or take another course or what?"
"No," she said. "I'll have to save up more money first."
Gajeel crossed his arms across his chest and he cleared his throat. "Well, I can teach you."
Levy smiled. "Really? But it might take a while…" She trailed off nervously as Gajeel looked away.
"I can teach for free…if you want."
He stumbled backwards as she launched herself at him and hugged him tightly.
"Oh thank you thank you thank you!" Levy cried.
Gajeel returned the hug and inhaled deeply.
These were going to be a great few months.
Next chaper: Jerza