The sun is lower, throwing planes of color across the sky. A weight digs into his bark, kicking little pieces free, and clever toes pick out feasting bugs that make him itch.

Jongin, Kyungsoo’s limbs creak beneath the bear’s weight. What are you doing?

The cub moans, lying on his belly on a thick branch. He sticks his claws in his mouth, leftover insects and sap from the nails. Kyungsoo draws up some wind, blowing up Jongin’s fur until he whines and paws at his bark.

I won’t stop until you talk to me. Use your words, cub. What are you doing here? They have a sort of unwritten rule that when Kyungsoo goes out without inviting Jongin, he’s going out to think, to relax, or to re-energize. The natural sugar from his leaves and sun is more nourishing than any food they could forage for or grow in a garden themselves.

Jongin grunts, catching himself fast when shifting just too far nearly pulls him to the ground.

If Kyungsoo knows anything, it’s patience. He can wait for a very long time.