Summary: In nature you could always find comfort, no matter the place or time. When he came along, you had a person to share that with again.
Word count: 993
Warnings: none
A/N: something short but hopefully comforting while I work on other things :)
From very early on, you've enjoyed nature immensely. Ever since you could babble on like all babies do and grasp the grass in your hands, your parents had difficulties tearing you away from the ground in fear of making you upset. A little older, but still just a child, your mother would often have to drag you back into the house when the Sun started setting, because you were too fascinated with insects or birds to realize how much time has passed. Luckily, living in a suburban part of the city, there was a perfect opportunity for you to spend time outside whenever you wanted to, close under your parents' watchful eyes — although that became less relevant as the years went by. You could always leave the house and sit in the garden or wander around the neighborhood, effectively escaping the rush of everyday life for a while.
Your parents used to joke about this with their friends, your habit of constantly playing in the sandpit and bushes instead of joining the others on the swings or teeter-totter. In the beginning, they worried about your place in social life, not having the desire to make friends like your peers did. Later on, you didn't have trouble making connections, so they didn't try to pressure you into forgetting about your passions. It would have been hypocritical anyways, knowing how both of them grew up and still were.
When you were old enough, your father started to take you hiking and camping with him. It was an activity you quickly learned to love; just the two of you for a few days, peacefully treading through the seemingly untouched places nature offered. It always reminded you to appreciate the smallest things, be it the quiet on top of a mountain with only the wind in your ears, or the small but joyous sound of the fireflies at night, lulling you to a peaceful sleep.
Despite that, some of the most memorable adventures were spent with your mother. She didn't like to trek as far as her husband, opting to stay home instead and work on the garden she had been growing ever since your birth. You would argue about the way you used the word adventures, because she believed you had to go somewhere further for that, but you always thought it wasn't just a physical thing — an emotional one meant just as much, if not more.
When you started speaking, walking and causing mischief, your mother let you help her tend to all the plants she was growing. The more years went by, the wider variety of flowers, vegetables and fruits could be found in the little section, guarded by a picket fence your father purchased for this exact reason. Your favorite used to be the berries that hang low when ripe, ready for taking — it wasn't hard to guess who sneakily ate them all before your mother could actually pick them, but she never said a word.
Through all the memories you harbored, the best were still the ones you had spent by yourself. It wasn't to say you didn't enjoy the company, very far from it, but you've always been introverted in that way; with a good book or a paper and pencil, you could take hours just basking in your own company. At the end of the day, you were your own loyal friend, and if anyone was to leave you to your own devices, you would certainly never be disappointed.
There are some things that never change, no matter the time that passes.
"Mi vida, it's getting late."
Snapping out of your haze, you lifted your head to gaze at the owner of the familiar voice. Alejandro was standing just an arm's length shy behind you, a soft smile playing on his lips. You've always appreciated how considerate he was, finding gentle ways to bring your attention back to the present when you were far away in your own head. You often found yourself immersed in other matters, but he wasn't afraid to help guide you back to whatever was happening in the moment.
When your eyes took him in a few moments later, the upward curl of your lips were natural: as the Sun was dipping just behind the horizon, the rays casted an orange-like light on his face, highlighting his chocolate irises and strong face. Even if he'd argue, you knew he was the most beautiful person you have had the chance to meet.
"Didn't realize, sorry."
Turning your head back to the view in front of you, Alejandro just chuckled and sat down next to you on the wooden bench. It was one he carved for you from the wood he chopped next to the house long ago; the sight of the initials on the backrest were enough to remind you of the child-like joy you felt when it was finally put into place. Another piece of memory you shared with him.
The scenery truly was breathtaking. This high up in the mountains, everything looked so much smaller. Everything, but the sky, that was currently adorning some of your favorite colors: hues of red, orange and yellow, all mixed with the neutral blue that always looked back at you. The Sun was already halfway down, disappearing behind the top of another, bigger mountain, creating an ethereal glow around the landscape.
"Beautiful."
Alejandro only muttered the word quietly, but you knew he appreciated the view just as much as you did. And knowing him, the expression extended to your being too, not just the nature in front of you.
The next few minutes, until the Sun eventually disappeared under the horizon were spent in a peaceful quiet, one that gave you an eternal sense of comfort and calm. Sitting next to the one who was most important to your heart, sharing a moment that meant almost just as much — if there was solace in the world, you found yours.
