"No, babe, look at my fingers again," she chuckled, smooching your cheek affectionately, "see?"

Ellie had caught on way earlier than you thought. You thought you were subtle—eyes darting every time she picked up the guitar, watching the way her hands moved over the strings like it was second nature, like she was breathing music instead of air. But she noticed. She always noticed. The way your gaze lingered on her fingers, following each shift, each flick of her wrist, every time her thumb dragged across the strings. And the way you asked, almost casually, almost careless—“play me something, El?”—like it wasn’t the highlight of your night when she gave in, like you weren’t totally entranced by her.

There were nights she gave you exactly that—her head tipped down, hair falling over her face, lost in the song, while you sat cross-legged across from her. Nothing but the soft creak of the couch, the low hum of the strings, and the orange glow of the lamp painting her in warm shadows. Her fingers danced easy, confident, like they belonged nowhere else but right there. You didn’t even try to hide it then, your eyes tracing every move, the curve of her smile when she caught you staring. You’d breathe slower, softer, like if you made too much noise you’d break the spell.

So when she finally said she’d teach you, it felt less like a surprise and more like she’d just decided to pull you into her little world. She slid behind you on the couch, warm knees bracketing yours, chest pressing into your back. The guitar rested heavy against your lap, way too big, clumsy in your hands. And then her arms slipped around you, her calloused fingers covering yours, guiding them into place.

"Not like that," she murmured, nudging your pinky down, her breath brushing your ear. "Relax, yeah? Don’t grip it like you’re tryna strangle the damn thing." She laughed under her breath, low and warm, her lips grazing your temple as she adjusted your hand. The strings bit into your fingertips, awkward and stiff, but her touch steadied you. She leaned in, pressing a quick kiss against your jaw before strumming slow, your hand moving with hers, like training wheels.

"See?" she said again, voice smug but soft, her chin resting on your shoulder now. "Told you it’s not that hard."