Regiphobia

The Melody

Juan was waiting, rather impatiently, in Goda's study for him to arrive. They spent quite a lot of time there, mostly because the second floor, with both his room and the sitting rooms, was much more heavily patrolled. He was pacing a bit, looking at some of the stuff around the room. He noticed the drawing of him that Goda was working on right on top of the other's desk. The coloring looked mostly complete, but it looked like only a couple of places had a lot of details or shadows and highlights. Juan couldn't wait until it was done, because it already looked amazing.

He then moved to the other side of the room, standing in one corner and looking out over it all to see if he noticed anything he hadn't seen before. There was a cabinet he knew was filled with art supplies, the aforementioned desk, some drawings and paintings pinned up to the walls, and random items scattered around by the walls of the room.

Juan started going around the walls, looking at a couple of things. There were some papers that he soon saw was half-written sheet music. There was a pile of notebooks, most of which seemed to be completely filled with writing. He picked one up, furrowing his brow slightly. Some of the pages were messily ripped out. Some were half-burned, the edges completely blackened. Some were crumpled and wrinkly. Some had... it looked like footprints. As he was flipping through the tattered thing, the door started creaking open.

"Hey Juan," Goda said as soon as the door shut behind him. He almost immediately noticed what Juan was holding, and he went just a little red.

"I don't mean to be nosy or anything, but... who did all this? It's all burned and torn up," Juan said, looking just a little worried as he walked to Goda's side.

"J-Just... It's kinda a long story, but if you want to hear it-" Goda started.

"I do," Juan said quickly, "I want to know everything there is to know about you, and if this is part of it, I want to hear it too."

Goda nodded, took a moment, then said, "The burns are f-from my dad. He didn't like that I w-wrote and drew when I was little rather than... I d-dunno... working or doing sports or something, I'm not s-sure what he wanted from me. He'd dump ev-verything together in a pile and drop a lit match in th-the backyard back home. The tears are p-probably just some bullies from my old school, they'd rip out and m-make fun of some of the things I wrote."

"Damn," Juan said, voice quiet, "Well, I'm glad you don't have to deal with them anymore." He set the notebook back down, looking across the room. His mood switched quickly as he noticed an instrument. "You have a guitar?"

"Y-Yeah, I can only play two or th-three chords, but I have it," Goda nodded.

"I took lessons when I was younger," Juan smiled, "I could play a song for you!"

"I can k-kinda sing, if I know the song and st-tuff," Goda offered.

"Great! Wanna try it?" Juan pulled one chair up beside another, gesturing for Goda to take a seat with him. Goda nodded, sitting with him. "What song?"

"Um... I dunno, what songs do you kn-know?"

"A ton!" Juan said. He started listing off a couple he was particularly good at playing, then Goda stopped him.

"I kn-now the lyrics to that one," Goda said, "Should we t-try it?"

"I mean, why not?" Juan said, idly tuning the guitar, "Do you know when to come in?"

Goda nodded as Juan strummed his fingers over the six strings. He started to play. He was by no means perfect, but he clearly had some experience playing. Goda took a couple breaths, not used to singing in front of others. He assured himself that Juan would never laugh at him for messing up. He shut his eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them as he began to sing.

"Reverend, reverend, please come quick."
"I've got something to admit."
"I met a man out in the sticks of good old Miss,"
"He drove a Series 10 Cadillac and wore a cigar on his lip."

Goda said. He tried to disregard the fact that even mentioning a cigar made him think of the smell of his notebooks burning, leaving a fine ash on the stone outside his house. He took a breath between the first verse and the chorus, ignoring the thought.

"Don't you know the devil wears a suit and tie,"
"I watched him driving down the 61 in early July."
"White as a cotton field and sharp as a knife,"
"I heard him howling as he passed me by."

Another topic he could hardly bear to think about. Even looking at knives sent him into a panic. God, things were only getting worse for him. Another deep breath. Juan didn't seem to notice any of his thoughts, which made him feel a bit relieved. In fact, the other seemed to just be listening to him sing, less thought on the instrument in front of him. The sight made Goda smile just a little.

Another verse, another chorus. Goda was actually having more fun than he expected, singing with Juan. The reminders of hard times seemed to roll off him like waves against a smooth stone, so round it must have been tumbling in the waters for decades and centuries.

"Oh foolish, foolish was I."
"Damn my foolish eye,"
"Cause that man's lessons had a price, oh sweet price."
"My sweet soul everlasting, my very own eternal light."

Another chorus began immediately and Goda's eyes were shut. He was too focused on the lyrics, the sound, and remembering every word to keep them open. There was only one chorus left, then the song was over.

"The devil wears a suit and tie,"
"I saw him driving down the 61 in early July."
"White as a cotton field and sharp as a knife,"
"I heard him howling as he passed me by."

As the final chords on the guitar faded out, Goda opened his eyes. Juan was smiling like an idiot, the guitar resting silently in his lap.

"...What?" Goda hesitantly asked.

"You sounded amazing!" Juan enthused, "You should sing way more!"

"R-Really?"

"Of course! How much practice have you had? You sound incredible!"

Goda blushed slightly, "Um. I've had a lot. Of p-practice, I mean. Thank you."

"I mean, it's all true! It's absolutely incredible!" Juan said, standing and setting the guitar by the wall.

As he walked back, Goda spoke up, "I th-think you're exaggerating a bit..."

"C'mon, G-dog, take the compliment! I promise, you're great," Juan leaned down to Goda, kissing his cheek. Goda huffed, trying to look angry and failing miserably.

"F-Fine..." Goda admitted, moving one hand to half cover his blush. Juan took that hand, moving it, then kissed his cheek again.

As Juan and Goda moved on in the conversation, Goda couldn't get his mind off the lyrics he'd sung.

"The devil wears a suit and tie."

An image of Gabe flashed in his head, even if he hadn't seen him in person in almost a full week now. He kept that thought away from his expression as Juan spoke. He took a breath and let the thoughts fade away.