Archive of Our Own ^beta

"Ugh, this isn't working!" Wolf complained, ready to give up and throw the guitar away and never pick it up ever again.

She was angry at herself for not being able to do what she was told. Lio made it seem so easy as his fingers moved over the strings ever so elegantly, playing beautiful tunes that could make anyone smile. All while Wolf's playing sounded like a screechy door.

"You're making progress, Wolf. Here, let me help you", Lio praised his youngest child, moving her hands into the right position of a C.

Her took her other hand and helped her move it over the strings. Finally, she played the right chord.

"Let's continue. We may now have sunshine, or starlight or weather," Lio sang while playing the guitar.

Wolf tried to play the next chord, only to fail and get upset at herself. Benson was making much better progress than she was. He loved music and everything that came with it. Wolf had never listened to music growing up. She'd never needed it. But now, she was living with a family that sang whenever there was an opportunity. Wolf just wanted to be included in their own little family thing. The What We Have Is You song was the most special one in the Oak household, and however Wolf tried, she just couldn't learn it.

It was hopeless!

Lio noticed her getting upset and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"You don't need to get it on your first try. I love spending time with you, Wolf. You're in no hurry. You'll learn it over time."

"But I want to learn it now! Everyone else but me knows it!" Wolf complained, crossing her arms as she frowned.

Lio mirrored her frown. He knew Wolf felt a bit left out, especially with her background. He needed to let her know that she didn't have to learn an entire song in a day with no experience in playing instruments.

"You know what always cheer me up when I'm upset?" Lio asked.

Wolf sighed, already knowing the answer.

"Singing the song I'm too stupid to learn," she muttered.

Lio wanted to remind his daughter not to call herself mean words, but he decided to leave it at the moment, figuring that she was upset enough as it was. 

"Let's just take a few deep breaths, alright? We can do the thing you taught Kipo! In for four, out for eight..."

"Keep your cool, now you're great..." Wolf finished and Lio nodded, praising her and encouraging her to keep going.

While Wolf took deep breaths to call herself down, Lio picked up his guitar and started to play.

We may not have sunshine

Or starlight or weather

But we've got each other

And that's even better

You don't need the sun to keep you warm

When you've got arms

Wishes come from you

And not a random shooting star

We may not have storm clouds

But the sky's always blue

We've got something special here

And what we have is you

What we have is you

What we have is you

When he'd stopped playing, Wolf had calmed down completely. She was smiling again, much like how when they first started the guitar lesson.

"Are you feeling better, kiddo?" Lio asked with a gentle smile and Wolf nodded.

"Yeah, can you teach me the first chord again?" Wolf asked and Lio nodded.

He was proud of his daughter for still going, despite the big emotions earlier. She was a strong girl, and Lio knew that she would go far.