Her fright and confusion seeped into his music, instilling a resonant sadness to the piece that sunk into his chest deeper than he realized. Her stillness silenced the majority of instruments till only a discordant pair vied for dominance. The chilling howl of a wolf fought to overwhelm the cheery chirps of the songbird.

His grip on her wrist tightened until it threatened to leave a mark once released. He barely noticed though the pain was all on him.

"You are-"

He started to say but couldn't seem to find the words. His demeanor began to falter. The tightness in his jaw ached from his anger, but the piercing coldness of his eyes frayed around the edges.

Suddenly he let her go and turned completely from her, taking two steps away. In the movement, his other hand came forcefully around and beat into his own chest. Once, twice, quickly, painfully, in punishment. The music quieted to a low thrum, a holding note as the piece waited to shift to something different.

"You are nothing but trouble," he groused in defeat. And the low cello hummed softly beneath the airy flute as it tentatively tested its freedom.