Gwen never expected to be in Duncan's garage, learning electric guitar. But as they strummed "Smoke on the Water" together, something sparked—more than just the music.
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The summer sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the dusty room. Posters of classic rock bands adorned the walls, their edges curled from years of hanging. A well-worn electric guitar rested against a battered amplifier, the strings gleaming slightly in the dimming light.
Gwen stood near the doorway, arms crossed and a hesitant smile playing on her lips. "So, you're really going to teach me?" she asked, her voice tinged with excitement and a hint of skepticism.
Duncan, lounging on the worn couch, smirked at her. "Of course. You said you wanted to learn, right?" He pushed himself up and grabbed the guitar, offering it to her. "Here, take it."
She took the instrument carefully, feeling the weight of it in her hands. It was surprisingly solid, cool to the touch. "I've always wanted to try this," she admitted, running her fingers over the strings.
Duncan adjusted the strap over her shoulder, his fingers brushing against her arm. "Well, today's your lucky day. Let's start with something simple."
Gwen watched him closely as he positioned her fingers on the frets. His hands were rough but confident, and she couldn't help but admire how natural he looked with the guitar in his hands. "Okay, so what do I do now?"
"Press down on the strings, like this," Duncan instructed, guiding her fingers into place. "Now, strum." He placed a pick in her hand, closing her fingers around it.
Gwen took a deep breath and strummed the strings. The sound that came out was far from perfect—a jumbled mix of buzzing and clanging. She winced, but Duncan just laughed.
"Not bad for your first try," he said, taking her hand and adjusting her grip on the pick. "You need to be a bit firmer with the frets. Try again."
She followed his advice, her fingers pressing harder this time. The sound that followed was clearer, still rough around the edges, but undeniably better. Gwen's eyes lit up. "That's... that's not terrible."
"Exactly. Now you're getting it," Duncan encouraged, his voice low and approving. He stepped behind her, his chest brushing against her back as he reached around to adjust her hand. "Here, let me show you how to switch chords."
Gwen's breath caught as she felt his proximity, but she quickly focused back on the guitar. With his guidance, she moved her fingers to the next position and strummed again. This time, the sound was smoother, more like the music she admired.
"That's it!" Duncan said, a genuine smile on his face. "You've got the hang of it."
Gwen turned her head slightly, catching his gaze. "Thanks for this, Duncan. It means a lot."
"No problem. It's kinda fun teaching you," he replied, his voice softer now, almost as if he wasn't used to the sentiment. He hesitated for a moment before adding, "You're doing great, by the way. Better than I did when I started."
She chuckled, feeling a warmth in her chest that wasn't just from the guitar. "I doubt that, but thanks." Her fingers moved more confidently now, forming the chords he showed her. The room filled with the raw, unpolished sound of a beginner's music, but to them, it was perfect.
For a while, they played together, Duncan guiding her through the basics, Gwen picking up on his cues quickly. Every mistake was met with a patient correction, every success with a shared smile. As the sun finally dipped below the horizon, the room was lit only by the dim light of a lamp in the corner, casting long shadows that danced with the music.
Eventually, Gwen handed the guitar back to Duncan. "Your turn," she said, taking a seat on the couch.
Duncan accepted the guitar, but instead of playing a full song, he just strummed a few chords, the sound low and steady. "I like the way you play," he said after a moment, his voice almost contemplative.
Gwen raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at her lips. "Even though I barely know what I'm doing?"
"Especially because of that," he replied, looking up at her with a grin. "It's like... you're discovering it all for the first time. It's cool to see."
She felt a warmth rise to her cheeks and hoped the dim lighting would hide it. "Well, I had a pretty good teacher," she said, her voice light, but with an edge of sincerity.
Duncan just shrugged, but there was a softness in his eyes that hadn't been there before. "Anytime you want to practice, just let me know."
"Deal," Gwen agreed, leaning back into the couch, feeling content.
They sat there for a while longer, the room filled with quiet conversation and the occasional strum of the guitar. The sun had set completely, leaving the room cloaked in the soft embrace of night. For Gwen, it wasn't just about learning to play the guitar; it was about spending time with someone who, despite their differences, seemed to understand her in a way few others did.
And for Duncan, it was a chance to share something he loved with someone he was beginning to care about more than he'd expected.
As the evening drew to a close, Gwen left with a promise to return for more lessons, and Duncan was left alone with the guitar. He strummed a few more chords, the sound filling the empty room. A small smile played on his lips as he thought about the way Gwen's eyes had lit up when she played her first real chord.
Maybe teaching wasn't so bad after all.
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authors note
honestly as a kid watching total drama wt i used to hate duncan and gwen like HATE HATE duncan and gwen but now ive grown to like them 💗 they'd be really cute if duncan didnt cheat on courtney ( not cool man )
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