teach me your ways
a fluffy Caine x reader fic
suggested by @coolowlrogue
pin : @2leafclov3r
word count : 11K
Johann Debussy · Clair de Lune · Song · 2021
also, listen to this while reading if you can
english isn't my first language so sorry for any spelling or spelling mistakes. no warnings needed ! enjoy :)
Today you decided to switch with Zooble, feeling a bit too under the weather to participate in one of Caine's excentric adventures. Of course you were met with a bit of grumbling from their part but they could clearly tell that the last adventure had impacted you mentally. You watched from afar as the troupe disappeard each into the portal as you made your way back inside your room and plopped down onto your bed. Now that you were alone with Caine, what could you do ? As expected from him he did beg you to join the others but he too probably got the memo that today wasn't a good day from your visible eyebags under your avatar's eyes. You took a deep breath. Your usual hobby didn't interest you at the moment and yet despite the heavy fatigue you were feeling you couldn't fall asleep, just tossing and turning in the sheets as you counted sheeps…at least tried to. This wasn't habitual : just once in a while you get discouraged and you'd find yourself just blankly staring at the ceiling, wondering what went wrong in your life in order to explain how you got in your current situation. And you could've guessed that today your brain wanted to think of how you got in the circus in the first place.
"hmmmmmm…"
You grumbled, moving over to hug your pillow as you nuzzled into it gently. deep breaths in and out as you tried to think of something better but from your own self inflicted torment, your ears caught Something else, making your eyes widen. A soft melody could be heard, faint but hopeful, like small shimmer of light in the darkness; it sounded like a piano, the little melody echoing through the halls and rooms of the tent as it gave you enough strength and curiosity to get up and snapping your mind from your mental pity party. You open the door, peeking out of the creek of it as the melody now became faintly louder now that the door wasn't blocking the way. You were suprised : it usually played a silly, funky, jazzy tune around here, not something so calm and soothing. Your legs dragged you to the main stage, wondering what was going on, the music grew louder and much clearer as you soon found the source of such softness : there, alone in the main stage stood Caine all alone, sat calmly in front of a forte piano, hand moving expertly against the ivory natural keys and the sharps and flats placed between them. he looked focused…which says a lot coming from Caine, seeming to play mindlessly without a music sheet in sight. You could only feel compelled into getting closer, and that's exactly what you did. You gently approached, going backstage to climb the stairs as quietly as you could and gently moving the curtains away to see him from behind. You never expected to see Caine like this. He was usually energetic, full of life and grandiose. But the tune he played was soft, sweet, a hopeful harmony, a way to say "after all this time, I survived". It made you smile, this version of him…it made you wonder what other private concerts he hosted for his own being while you were away facing his chaotic adventures.
"wow boss ! looks like we've got someone spying on us !"
This cut Caine off guard as he looked over his shoulder to see you. You were startled by Bubble's rude interuption as you went to think of an excuse but before you could say anything, Caine smiled brightly, as if happy to have his own little spectator.
"why hello there my dear ! Didn't see you here, come !"
He gently gestured you for you to come over to his side, making you smile coyly as you got closer.
"I thought you were asleep ! What happened my sweet and sour gummyworm ? GASP- did you miss your ringmaster ?"
He was bouncing in his seat, tailcoat wagging like a dog happy to see his owner come home. You smiled at his sweet behavior as you indulged in his little fantasy.
"I guess I did miss your company-"
"WOWIE ! I mean, of course you do ! Who wouldn't ?"
you chuckled at his prideful remarks, watching him puff his chest out and raise his hands to rest on the back of his head smugly.
"yeah, who wouldn't miss you… you know…I never knew you could play an instrument…let alone a piano"
"oh really ? what made you think that ?"
He tilted his head as you continued, your hands reaching to gently brush the soft, smooth surface of the keys.
"you're more outgoing, the one who keeps the show going…while a piano is usually for softer tunes, gentleness and…like… almost a scholar precision. Every key is important, every placement is specific and should be organised properly in order to make every emotion and feeling come out…they can be as soft as they can be loud…but they'll always have an impact"
you hand soon brushed against his. You realised you had rambled on as you looked up in hopes he wasn't too confused by your description: far from it, he seemed to have gobbled up each word that you said, pupils wide, absolutely enamored as you couldn't help but smile and blush.
"but I guess that's it, isn't it ? the softness of it all, the precision…it's grounding for you, isn't it ?"
his feet were kicking back and forth as he couldn't looked prouder.
"well you sure can say it like that my rythmical philosopher ! you sure have quite the interesting mind my darling !"
you couldn't help but smile at his sweet praise as you continued.
"oh it's nothing…I always wanted to learn an instrument…but I guess I'm better off as a critic than a musician-"
"nonsense my dear !"
he snapped his fingers, the tabouret of the piano spreading for you to sit with him. He impatiently patted the side of his seat, inviting you to his side as you weren't expecting it. You took his invite, gently sitting down as he then gently took your hands in his grasp.
"here, place your thumb there then let the other fingers rest on the other keys"
You place the thumb of your right hand where the do would be, letting the other sit on the other keys. He then guided your left hand, your pinky resting on a do further way from your right hand.
"good ! now, play any note you want"
You looked at him as you pushed your thumb onto the piano, making a shy note come out as he giggled.
"a little firmer my darling, be confident"
"okay"
You pushed your thumb again, more firmly, making the note much louder as he smiled, proud of your short progress. He gently scooted closer, gently making you straighten your posture and placing your hand more correctly. You couldn't help but smile at his silent advice.
"wonderful my dear !"
"it's nothing much Caine, I just played a single note"
"a note is still a note my dear ! A small ripple can become a tiddle wave ! it's that phenomen you humans call…Butterfly effect ! and you my dear are slowly coming out of your cocoon, one note after the other"
You couldn't help but giggle at his sweet metaphore.
"well Caine, I guess I'm not the only philosopher here"
"oh you"
You giggled again as Caine simply smiled, happy to be spending his time with one of his little humans. your laughter calmed down as Caine soon got an idea.
"perhaps I could help you with this problem of yours, my dear"
"huh ?"
"well, I could be your tutor ! you said you always wanted to play an instrument so…why not play together from time to time ? maybe when you Don't want to go with the others or when you and I have some time to spare"
"I'd love that !"
You exclaimed as he looked surprised.
"really ?"
"yes ! absolutely !"
"well that's the spirit my dear !"
He gently rubbed your shoulder, gently hugging you as you chuckled. You then sighed softly, your hand reaching his as you placed your head on his shoulder. He couldn't help but blush a little at the small act of affection, trying not to panic or bug out in the middle of such a cozy moment as he cleared his throat.
"well…perhaps for now I could play something for you ?"
"you could ?"
He nodded as you thought for a bit. maybe something classic ?
"hm, I'm not sure if you'd like it"
"oh please my dear, it'll be fine ! I'm sure your suggestion will be a good one"
"hm…well, do you know "clair de lune" ?"
"of course my dear ! just sit back alright ?"
"okay"
The smile that grew on your face was precious to him as he started placing his hands and started to play. you were silent, watching his hands dance gently on top of the keyboard, you could gently perch your head up, looking at his expression. He looked serious just like before, focused on his movements but there seemed to be a glim in his eyes, almost like your suggestion has given him a motive. You were about to lift your head from his shoulder but soon felt his tailcoat move on its own.
"please, stay, keep your head where it is, alright ?"
"oh, okay…"
You left your head back where it rested as Caine continued to play, his fingers Moving in sync as he focused on it, making sure to keep it piano. As he played his mind drifted of a little, the gentle weight of your head against his shoulder, making his tailcoat pat the side of your waist, keeping you close as he continued the sweet melody, letting his own mind drift through, one note at a time. Little did he know how tired you were as the song only helped as a lullaby for you.
"hmm…"
he heard you hum a little as he looked to see you asleep. He had just finished the piece, gently closing the piano as he moved his arm in order to hold you. Bubble appeard to the side. For once the soapy little guy said anything unhinged as the two ais observed your sleeping form. Caine couldn't help but gush a little, having someone close to him and trusting him fully like this…He could get used to this. He sighed, knowing he still had some important task to do before the others came back as he gently cupped you up in his arms, holding you in a bridal carry as he floated towards your room, too scared of startling you awake by teleporting. He gently tucked you in, placing your unconscious body against the soft mattress of your bed and tucking the sheets nicely around you as he patted your head a few times.
"sweet dreams, my dear"
He whispered softly before teleporting away to his office, away from his little world that he built in order to work on the next adventure he had in mind.
Your small day off helped you alot : you woke up feeling much better, ready to tackle the day, or at least survive whatever wacky stuff Caine had in store for you all. you sat up from your bed, gently stretching your arms out as you soon notice something : your desk seemed different, like there's been a hidden undernearth the smooth surface. You got up, curious as you then pulled the under part, revealing a piano board and a small note with a few books filled with music sheets to the side. You took the sticky note that stood on top of them as it read :
"hello my little superstar ! I've taken the iniciative to give you this little addition to your room in order for you to practice ! Our time yesterday was splendid and I can't spend more like this with you. I've also found these sheets for you to try out and to learn ! go on my skilled little catterpillar. I can't wait to have a duet with you someday ! :D -Caine"
the note was decorated with bees and stars as you could only smile at his gift. So with that, you went to test it out, looking through the sheets and tips he left for you to train yourself with, hoping to get a better grip on the instrument before show it off to Caine.
