Seven waxed strings twanged under the quick picking of metal fingers. They hummed with every shift of the calloused hand binding them to new chords to echo within the wide acoustic chamber. A waterfall of notes in an intense driving beat like a speeder chase across the sands of Tatooine — uncharacteristic yet intriguing to derive from the hallikset within the half-Selenian’s grip. His foot tapped with the tempo for several bars while he leaned over the instrument.
“That is a new one…From *The Agasar*, correct?” a voice called curiously, guessing.
Kobign ceased his strumming, cyber-palm lying flat over the strings, and looked up to see his husband sit down in a chair adjacent to him. Resting his arm on the body of the hallikset, he watched as Jax reached for a nearby stack of books and, after a pause of consideration, selected one to read. The taller shistavanen-hybrid paused mid donning his reading glasses and leveled a waiting look with a chuff and a curl of a smile.
“*Ellie*? Credit for your thoughts?”
“You got it right, the band,” Kob nodded with a chuff, his staring had been clocked. “Heard the song a couple weeks ago at the docks, been an earworm since.”
Jax’s inquiry still played in his head, new thoughts taking shape and hoovering in his mind. Kobign shot his better half a half-grin and shifted in his seat. His scarred but flesh and bone hand settled back on the neck of his instrument, fingers curling to press down upon the strings. He strummed away a slower tune that still has a kick to its step, incorporating light slapping of the chamber percussively. A song with no lyrics needed but had once been uttered, the words well memorized and known by his lover. Endearment and adoration, playful suggestiveness.
Kobign stood and crossed the short distance between them while he played, halting before Jax. His thumb hit the final chords as he propped his left foot up on the chair and leaned forward. He shot a wink.
Jax, having opened his book and just found his place before the display had started, had watched behind it. He pulled it down away from his face and held it to the side as he leveled half-lided blue eyes towards the hazels fixed with them. With a toothy smile, Jax tilted his head back and to the side.
“Is that so, *Ellie*?” A rumbling purr answered, the older man leaning back into his seat. “Prove it.”
Kobign stilled where he towered somewhat over his much taller husband, standing just a bit over his seated height. He hadn't thought this far ahead or truly fixed on any intent other than dorky mischief.
But he also wasn't opposed.
The hallikset and book both deposited in the floor and forgotten…