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Music was a big part of the Harper-Todd household. Even if you didn’t hear it at first, it was guaranteed that somewhere in the house music was playing- whether that be the faint guitar riffs seeping through a pair of ear buds or someone singing in the shower.
There was a wide variety of tastes. With each new kid, they were introduced to new genres, artists, and songs. “What kind of music do you like?” was one of the first questions asked when being adopted into the family.
Showtunes were a favorite of Jason’s. He especially loved listening to them while cooking, singing along and acting out parts at times, much to his family's amusement. Steph and Sasha would occasionally join in, dancing around as they helped with the meal.
One time, Selina had walked in on them singing along to “Just Around the Corner” as they cooked pasta. Selina was incredibly impressed by Jason’s singing voice. When she said so, the younger man blushed. She then goaded him into doing “Anything You Can Do” with her.
Then, a week later, he performed a duet of “Say My Name” with Lian. The young girl couldn’t stop laughing at Jason’s ridiculous Beetlejuice voice as she belted out her lines.
Cass preferred classical music, loving all the emotion they were able to convey despite their lack of words, not unlike herself. However, at one point she was curious as to what Harper was listening to and asked.
Cass pointed to the earbuds. “Can I?”
“Uh, sure.” Carefully pulling one of the earbuds out of her ear, she handed it to Cass.
An electric guitar solo met her ears, drums playing in the background. Then an almost raspy voice came on...
...Build my fear of what's out there
Cannot breathe the open air
Whisper things into my brain
Assuring me that I'm insane
They think our heads are in their hands
But violent use brings violent plans
Keep him tied, it makes him well
He's getting better, can't you tell?
No more can they keep us in
Listen, damn it, we will win
They see it right, they see it well
But they think this saves us from our hell
Sanitarium, leave me be
Sanitarium, just leave me alone
Sanitarium, just leave me alone
Cass loved it. Taking the earbud out, she gave her sister a beaming grin. “Do you have more?”
Harper’s eyes widened. “You- you liked it?”
Cass nodded. “Very powerful. It’s-” Cass frowned, wondering how to word it. In the end, she just decided to sign instead. ‘ There was so much emotion. You could feel how helpless and angry he felt. ’
“There is. It’s one of the reasons I like this kind of music so much. These bands put so much emotion behind their lyrics, unlike some of the crap we hear now a days.” Harper then got up and opened her vinyl player. Bending down she slipped one of the albums out, turning it so Cass could see. The title emblazoned on the cover was Metallica and, in white letters on the bottom, Master of Puppets. “So, you want to listen to more?”
Cass nodded fervently, hopping off the bed and waiting for the music to start.
Roy found them later, sitting in front of the record player, various hard rock albums strewn around them. He stood there in the doorway, flabbergasted. Noticing him, Harper met his gaze and shrugged, a happy look on her face. Meanwhile, oblivious to the silent exchange, Cass was grinning, her eyes closed and body swaying to the sound of Tommy Iommi’s guitar solo.