Chapter Text
“Keeping going!” he calls out to you from below. He watches you as you wrap your arms around a thicker branch and squeeze your eyes shut.
“I can’t, I’ll fall!” you shout back.
You took early morning walks together often, whenever he’d had trouble sleeping and pulled an accidental all-nighter. You said it’d help wear him out a little, tucking him into bed when you got home with a kiss to his forehead. The tree climbing? This was new. You’d made an offhand comment about how nice it would be able to fly up over the treeline and see the sunset. He’d suggested climbing a tree and you’d scoffed like it was completely ridiculous. He’d quickly discovered you’d never even attempted it, not even as a child.
“You won’t fall,” he encourages. “I’ll catch you if you do.”
“Catch me?” you question, peeking an eye open.
“Mm, I got you.”
Your other eye opens and you look down at him, koala gripping to the branch. “Promise?”
He smiles. “Yeah, baby. I promise.”
He watches as you look up the tree then to your arms, an adorable look of determination crossing your face. Then you’re moving, pulling yourself up the thick branches as he moves around below you—making sure he’s under you the entire time. The first time you had shown you trusted him was months into your relationship. He knew it was difficult for you to trust someone completely. That’s why when you’d opened up to him about your lack of previous dating experience and how comfortable he made you, he’d written the moment down—making sure he’d remember it.
“I can see it!” you shout suddenly, pulling him from his thoughts. “It’s so pretty! The sky is orange and pink!” He can just make out your face through the branches, your eyes bright with excitement. He smiles fondly, warmth blooming in his chest.
“Yeah? Was it worth the climb?”
“Come see!” you call. “You have to see it!”
“Just get a good look for me, yeah? Describe it to me when you come down.”
You pull your eyes from the sky, looking down at him again. “Come up, please?”
“I promised I’d catch you. I can’t do that if I come up.”
You’re quiet for a moment before pulling your hands from the branch you’re leaning against. Anxiety slams into his chest. “Hey! Don’t let go!” he calls.
You make the shape of a camera with your fingers, pointing it out over the horizon and pretending to take a photo. Then you grip the branch again, beginning your slow descent. “Just taking a photo for you,” you say as you climb.
When you reach the last branch he holds his arms open. “Jump,” he encourages. You don’t hesitate, trusting him to catch you.