Even the Strong Cry

Chapter Thirteen

Eren was sitting on the captain's knee in front of the piano, playing each note slowly. "Heichou..." He complained. "I don't want to do scales, I want to play like you can!"
Levi sighed "that takes years of practise and commitment. You can't just learn it overnight."
"But with such a good teacher..." Eren batted his eyelids slightly and Levi sighed. "Fine. Listen up to when I play it, cause I want you to do most of it yourself. What song do you want me to play?"
"If I Die Young." Eren answered immediately. "It's one of my favourites songs..." He added after seeing Levi's look.
When the music started Eren could remember nothing but the raw emotion that the song brought back. The way Levi played it made it sound so longing and mournful, the notes flowing into one another seamlessly. Eren had to wipe a tear from his eye and try to focus on where Levi was putting his hands, but he simply couldn't. All he could think about was the music and its sadness. Before the song was over Eren was sobbing into the captain's shoulder like a child. Levi patted his head slightly awkwardly until the crying had finished.
"Captain I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have asked for that song..." he sobbed.
"It alright Eren...I understand that that song brings back bad memories for you," Levi said softly.
"It's just...you played it so beautifully..." Eren looked on the verge of tears again and Levi couldn't help but smiling softly. He very rarely played in front of anyone, because music was something so personal to him that he didn't want to share it, yet here he was playing and teaching Eren, letting him enter the personal kingdom that was his music...his favourite song as well...
"Please...teach me..." Eren muttered softly into Levi's shirt.
"Are you sure?" Levi asked. Eren nodded.
"Okay...so you start on this note..." Levi took Eren's hand and gently set it on a note, and they continued like that for what seemed to Eren like hours, until he could play the full piece by ear, nowhere near as perfectly as Levi but it was a start.
"I'm never going to be any good..." Eren sulked.
"Eren it takes years of practise and you've only had one lesson. I think you just need more practise and you'll be amazing!" Levi smiled gently. "I'll help you a few more times but soon you'll be able to do it yourself."
"You really think so?" Eren's eyes widened at the praise from the captain, any praise was praise indeed when it came from Levi!
"I don't think so Eren, I know so." Eren blushed madly, his cheeks burning. "T-thanks C-captain..." He managed to mutter.
"It's Levi to you," Levi whispered in his ear before gently lifting Eren off his knee and walking out, leaving Eren alone to practise.