[Third Person Pov]
When Ember finally decided her song was finished, the studio had fallen into a quiet that felt almost sacred. Danny was seated a short distance away, perched on a chair with his legs crossed beneath him, posture relaxed but attentive. Across from him, Ember sat on a high stool, her guitar resting comfortably over her lap as if it were an extension of her body rather than an instrument.
She began tuning the guitar slowly, deliberately, each soft twang of a string lingering longer than necessary. It wasn't that the guitar was wildly out of tune—far from it—but Ember seemed intent on delaying the inevitable. Every few seconds, she glanced up at Danny from beneath her lashes, only to quickly look away again, her usual confidence replaced with an unfamiliar, almost shy hesitation.
'I've performed in front of screaming crowds,' she thought bitterly to herself. 'I've played while the world was ending around me without flinching… So why does this feel more nerve-wracking than all of that put together?'
Her fingers finally settled into position along the fretboard.
Danny, for his part, didn't pressure her or say a word. He was simply curious—quietly, genuinely curious—about what she was about to play. He'd never admit it out loud, at least not easily, but he truly enjoyed Ember's music.
Ember's eyes fluttered shut as she inhaled deeply through her nose, steadying herself. She held the breath for a moment, then slowly exhaled—and played the first note.
[Song: Fix You – Coldplay]
"When you try your best, but you don't succeed~" Ember began to sing. Her voice was softer than usual, stripped of its punk edge and fiery bravado. "When you get what you want, but not what you need"
Danny's eyes widened almost immediately as recognition dawned on him. He opened his mouth, instinctively wanting to say something, but the words caught in his throat. Instead, he stayed silent, transfixed, watching as Ember gently ran her fingers along the strings of her guitar, coaxing the melody out with careful precision.
"When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep~" she continued without pause, her voice steady but aching. "Stuck in reverseeeee"
She took another breath, her shoulders rising and falling before she sang again.
"And the tears come streaming down your face;
When you lose something you can't replace~"
This time, Ember lifted her head. Her eyes slowly opened, locking onto Danny as if he were the only person in the room.
"When you love someone, but it goes to waste~" she sang directly to him, her gaze unwavering. "Could it be worseeeee?"
"Lights will guide you home… And ignite your bones…" Ember's voice carried a gentle warmth as she continued, staring straight into Danny's eyes. "…And I will try to fix you"
Danny's hands tightened around his legs as he sat criss-crossed on the chair. His breathing picked up, his heartbeat pounding so loudly in his ears he was half-convinced Ember could hear it too.
Ember's eyes closed once more as her fingers lightly plucked the strings, the melody continuing on for a few seconds before she sang again.
"And high up above or down below; When you're too in love to let it gooo~" She began to sway gently from side to side, moving with the rhythm of her own song. "But if you never try, you'll never know; Just what you're worth…"
Her eyes opened again, flames within her hair flickering softly like candlelight, casting a warm glow around her face.
"Lights will guide you home…
And ignite your bones…
And I will try to fix you~"
Danny finally dropped his head, unable to hide his reaction any longer. His face had flushed into a deeper shade of red, heat creeping up his neck as his lips twitched uncontrollably. Even his ears burned the same color as his cheeks, and he pressed his hands tighter together to keep himself composed.
Ember noticed—and smiled.
She didn't say anything as her fingers began to run smoothly up and down the strings, letting the music speak where words couldn't. The guitar's sound filled the studio, rich and resonant, as the tempo gradually picked up.
As the song reached its crescendo, Ember sang with passion, emotion pouring freely into every note.
"Tears stream down your face;
When you lose something you cannot replace~"
Her gaze dropped to her hands, fingers moving swiftly in practiced concentration as she continued.
"Tears stream down your face, and I…
Tears stream down your face;
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes…
Tears stream down your face, and I~"
The tempo slowly eased, the intensity settling as Ember breathed out softly and looked back at Danny.
"Lights will guide you home;
And ignite your bones;
And I will try to fix you…"
She played the final chord, letting it reverberate through the air as the sound echoed and bounced gently off the studio walls. When the last note finally faded, Ember's hand rested atop the guitar.
She looked up at Danny with an amused, fond expression—finding him sitting there with his face buried completely in his hands.
Ember let out a soft chuckle before finally breaking the silence. Tilting her head slightly, she asked, "So… what do you think?"
Danny hesitated, his voice muffled as he didn't dare look up. "I think…" he said slowly, pausing just long enough to make her nervous, "…I think I was just serenaded."
For a split second, Ember blinked—then she burst out laughing, a bright, unrestrained sound that filled the studio. Her laughter only made Danny's embarrassment spike, his face heating up until instinct kicked in. Slowly, almost subconsciously, his body began to fade from view, his outline blurring before he turned completely invisible.
Ember wiped a tear of laughter from the corner of her eye and stood up from her seat, stepping forward to where Danny should have been sitting. She crossed her arms and tilted her head, unimpressed despite the smile tugging at her lips. "That wasn't what I wanted to know, you doofus."
She barely had time to process the moment before she suddenly stiffened. Her breath caught, eyes widening as she felt arms wrap around her from behind. Danny's hold was hesitant at first, almost unsure, but quickly settled—his hands resting over her shoulders, his presence unmistakable even without sight.
Ember lifted one hand and pressed it gently over his forearm, grounding them both. She heard him murmur softly near her ear, his voice quieter than usual.
"Thank you… truly."
There was no joking tone, no sarcasm—just sincerity. Ember could hear it clearly. Danny continued, his grip tightening just a fraction.
"Your music is honestly something else, Ember. Thank you for thinking about me while making the song… it really means a lot."
A warm smile spread across her face as her eyes slipped shut. She leaned back into his embrace, relaxing fully against him, and gave his forearm a gentle pat in reassurance.
"Anytime," she replied softly. "Whenever you're feeling down and need something to lift your spirits, don't hesitate to call me. I'll put on a private concert—just for you."
Danny buried his face into the crook of his arms around her and let out a quiet hum in acknowledgment. He took a deep breath, trying—and failing—to calm the frantic rhythm of his heart. He desperately hoped Ember couldn't feel it pounding against her back.
…
Later that night, Danny was getting ready for bed, absentmindedly humming under his breath—no doubt the melody Ember had sung earlier. He changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top, flicked off the light, and climbed beneath the covers.
That should've been the end of it.
Instead, he tossed and turned restlessly. Minutes passed. Then more. Before he realized it, hours had slipped by, and sleep was still nowhere in sight.
His mind refused to slow down, replaying the same images over and over again—her voice, her smile, the way she'd looked at him while singing.
Ember.
Danny stared blankly up at the ceiling, letting out a frustrated sigh. "Why the heck is she on my mind so much lately?" he muttered to himself. After a pause, he groaned. "Don't tell me I was successfully serenaded…"
He shook his head sharply, trying to dislodge the thought. "God, what the hell am I thinking…"
An irritated growl slipped past his lips as he rolled onto his side. "And why am I even thinking about another girl when I've got Sam?" he whispered. "Even if we're not… together-together, I shouldn't be unfaithful."
Danny exhaled sharply, annoyance mixing with guilt. He squeezed his eyes shut and forced his thoughts elsewhere—schoolwork, patrol routes, anything that wasn't a certain blue-haired ghost with a guitar.
Eventually, exhaustion won out. His mind slowed, his body relaxed, and after a long, restless while… Danny finally fell asleep.
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