Lullaby for a Stormy Night
I did this completely by ear. I figured out some parts on my own then I found out that there was sheet music for it. I didn't get the sheet music because then that would be cheating.
Time Frame: Tsuna's High School Years
For as long as he could remember Takeshi could hear piano music in his head and heart. Which was odd because he would later come find that less than 0.5% of people heard just the musical instrument. It was one thing to hear musical instruments while your soulmate was singing, but it was super rare to hear just instrumental. Because of its rarity, Takeshi had spent his entire childhood wondering why ever so often they would play piano music in class.
But it was a calming song, like a lullaby that would rock him to sleep.
People often said Takeshi was such a calm person, but all Takeshi was doing was channeling what the song in his head felt like: that gentle and calm embrace.
Then middle school came and Hayato transferred into their class. The silveret fell into an odd friendship with Takeshi and the rest of his friends, Tsuna in particular after the brunet had saved Hayato from a speeding car. Takeshi knew people often remarked how much oil and water he and Hayato were, never really mixing together. It was strange that they were friends. But Takeshi paid no heed to those words. Once upon a time, he might have, but well, let's just say Hayato wasn't the only one Tsuna had saved.
It was the beginning of their first year of high school that things changed. Piano music playing in his head, Takeshi headed back to his classroom to retrieve a forgotten notebook after baseball practice when he came across Tsuna sitting down in the hallway by a half opened door.
'Tsuna?' Takeshi asked.
Before he could ask anything else, Tsuna grabbed his arm, dragging the baseball player to the ground. 'Shhh,' Tsuna said. 'Hayato is playing the piano.'
Takeshi peered over Tsuna and into the room. True enough, Hayato sat at the grand piano in the music room. Then it clicked. Music synchronized and suddenly Takeshi was aware that what he was hearing in his head was the same song that Hayato was playing.
Could it be?
Drawing in a sharp breath, Takeshi drew back, too stunned to put into words.
Tsuna misinterpreted Takeshi's stunned silence. 'He doesn't like playing for audiences,' Tsuna explained. 'But Hayato is really good, no?'
Nodding, Takeshi asked, 'Do you know the title of this song Tsuna?'
'Lullaby for a Stormy Night,' Tsuna replied. 'Hayato mentioned once it was a lullaby that his mother use to sing to him at night before she passed away.'
Sang? That meant there were lyrics? Takeshi whipped out of his smartphone, searching for the lyrics. Finding a set, Takeshi held out his phone to Tsuna. 'This one?'
'Yeah,' Tsuna said, bemused. Then it slid into place for Tsuna. 'Wait… Takeshi, is Hayato…?'
'We'll find out soon enough,' Takeshi said, leaning back against the wall, pressed against Tsuna's side. There was only way to find out for sure. Taking a deep breath, feeling the rhythm of the song, Takeshi sang.
'And someday you'll know
That nature is so
This same rain that draws you near me
Falls on rivers and land
And forests and sand
Makes the beautiful world that you see
In the morning.'
The piano music stopped in Takeshi's head, stopped in the room, but Takeshi had since long memorized the beautiful calming music in his head and continued onward.
'Little child
Be not afraid
The storm clouds mask your beloved moon
And its candlelight beams
Still keep pleasant dreams
I am here tonight.'
The door opened and Hayato stared out at them. For the first time as far as Takeshi could remember, the first thing out of Hayato's mouth was not 'Tsuna-sama', was not 'Baseball idiot', but rather a soft and gentle, 'Takeshi?'
Takeshi smiled and continued to sing.
'For you know, once even I
Was a little child
And I was afraid
But a gentle someone always came
To dry all my tears
Trade sweet sleep the fears
And to give a kiss goodnight'
Hayato drew in a sharp breath. Then, to Takeshi's surprise, he returned the song.
'Well, now I am grown
And these years have shown
Rain's a part of how life goes
But it's dark and it's late
So I'll hold you and wait
'til your frightened eyes do close.'
Takeshi's heart raced; hearing the words physically, in his head, in his heart, synchronizing and twisting in such a way that felt perfect, like the entire world aligned and everything felt right. He joined Hayato, finishing the song in a perfect duet.
'And I hope that you'll know
That nature is so
This same rain that draws you near me
Falls on rivers and land
And forests and sand
Makes the beautiful world that you see
In the morning
Everything's fine in the morning
The rain will be gone in the morning
But I'll still be here in the morning'
A comfortable silence fell upon them as the song ended. Takeshi smiled, staring at Hayato who looked skeptical about the entire situation.
'How?' Hayato asked, shattering the silence.
Takeshi heard the unspoken question in that single word. How did Takeshi know? 'I hear your piano playing,' Takeshi answered honestly.
Hayato blinked. 'Less than 0.5% people can hear just the musical instrument,' he pointed out.
'I know,' Takeshi said, heart still pounding. There was still a small possibility that Hayato would reject him. He didn't dwell on it, knowing that despite the angry words Hayato flung, he didn't ever truly mean it.
But soulmates was such a bigger issue than a thorny friendship.
Hayato groaned, burying his head in his hands. 'I own Aneki 2000 yen now. I don't know how but she knew.' Looking back at Takeshi, Hayato tackled on, 'Soulmate or not, I still think you're a baseball idiot.'
Hope blossomed in Takeshi's chest. 'Does that mean I can take you out on a date this weekend?' he asked brightly, feeling light.
Hayato glared at him. 'If you're the type that turns romantic upon finding your soulmate, giving me flowers and shit, I will throw you out a window.'
That wasn't a no!
Tsuna tackled glomped them both, tears shining in his eyes. 'I'm so happy for you two,' the smaller brunet beamed. 'We should go out to celebrate. My treat!'
The three exited the school; Tsuna was walking ahead of Takeshi and Hayato, giving them the space they needed.
Takeshi hesitated, wondering what the next step was. A lot of people always talk about meeting your soulmate for the first time, but not many mention what happened after. Sure, fundamentally, most end up in a relationship with each other, but how did you get to that level? Plus, unlike most people, Takeshi knew Hayato before knowing that they were soulmate. Usually getting to know each other came after meeting your soulmate.
Sensing his hesitation, Hayato reached out, intertwined his hand with Takeshi's.
Skin tingling, Takeshi looked Hayato in the eye, curious.
'Baseball idiot,' Hayato huffed. 'We'll just take it one step at a time. I'm shitty boyfriend material and if you push too hard all you're going to do is rile me up more and I will go through with my promise to throw you out a window.' Squeezing Takeshi's hand and a light red blush brushed on his face, he added a soft mumble, 'We got the rest of our lives together, no need to rush. No one expects us to get married tomorrow or to get married at all.'
Takeshi beamed. That was true. They had time to figure it out, to see if they even wanted a romantic relationship together or just a relationship built on a strange but strong friendship.
One step at a time.
Song: Lullaby for a Stormy Night by Vienna Teng (remove #) youtu#.be/#mlmhMS_luX8
Hey look 8059!
I should note a lot of these chapters will be 'how they get together' and most (though this one leans towards romantic) are rather open ended as to what kind of relationship it ends up developing into. Can't say much about the later chapters, especially the ones post If There's A Song In Your Heart but ya.
Guest Reviewers Response
Alice
Thank you!
Suzie
Yes you may 8D
x3
Lots of people keep suggesting that idea to me. xD I'll look into writing it one day.
ReDeath
Nothing wrong with that. :P Good good. owo b Happy to help