Taka stood up a structure, almost equaling a three-story building by height. He gazed around, terrified by the sight. His heart was trembling, his legs wavering. He tried to approach the edge, but his fear forced him back.

"Are you okay?" Toru asked as he suddenly appeared on top of the stairs, joining Taka on what he considered his death sentence. He shook his head, and ran towards Toru. Without any protest, Toru engulfed Taka with his arms and sighed softly. "I c-can't do this Toru" Taka whispered, air ruffling his hair as he imagined himself at the concert, all alone. Toru would be far away, not here to hug him.

"No, you'll be okay" Toru finally responded, as tender as his tone allowed. "I promise" he pronounced, trying to ease his lover's fears. "It's too high" Taka trembled like a leaf in between Toru's sturdy arms.

_Taka, you won't fall. You'll be standing away from the edge

_what if I do?

_I'll catch you, with all my might, I will

There was a silence, disturbed only by the gentle breeze passing by. "We worked so hard, worked so hard to land this Nagisaen live. You can't miss it,baby please." Taka looked up and took in his boyfriend's tender smile. He did not dare let go of Toru's shirt though. He clutched so hard to it as if it was his dear life. But it made him feel safe, he knew he was safe with Toru. He nodded slowly and hesitantly, not so convinced but assured. "Great" Toru beamed, one of his rare honest wide grins. One of those that forced Taka to fall for him all over again. Taka walked back into Toru's comfortable hug, as if it was the safest thing he could ever experience.

The day of the performance, the pump of excitement took over as usual. They went out there and blasted the stage, their laughs loud as they performed to their loyal fans. However, it wasn't long until the acoustic session arrived. Toru ascended the stairs right behind him, silently telling him that everything is going to be alright. He sang The Same As confidently and perfectly. He was, after all, surrounded by his family. Yet, as soon as they went back to the main stage and he stood alone, his trauma started kicking in.

His eyes scanned the distance seeking Toru. Taka spotted him, standing still while looking back at him, thumbs raised. That was how Toru was telling him to go with the flow, to sing the song. And so he did. He closed his eyes and let the notes fly, his fingers strumming the guitar in sync with his beating heart.

"so everybody ever be buddies" he chanted, ignoring a sudden rush of amnesia. "Days we grew up" he stopped. Taka gulped, his fear taking the best of him. His eyes blurred and legs shook. He looked around to find Toru beside him, but he wasn't there. Toru was only visible from the large screen behind the stage. The vocalist tried to continue the track, but no sound came out. His words stood frigid behind the lump of his throat as his breathing picked up its pace.

His knees wobbled, he held on to the microphone stand for steadiness. The frontman heard the voices of the crowds rise in surprise as his vision blacked out. Everything went black, the next thing he knew, his head hit the hard floor.

................

T

aka slowly opened his lids, wincing at the blinding light above. He looked around trying to recognize his surroundings. He was in the members' room. He only identified the hard structure under his head soon after when he looked up.

Taka shifted and sat up, a pang of pain slicing through his head. Toru was leaning his head on the wall, snoozing softly. The vocalist looked at the other's thigh where his head had been, then back to his sleeping face. He groaned as he touched his head, suddenly noticing the bandages wrapped tightly there. How long has he been out? There was no one in sight. He searched for a clock, but there was none either.

He stood up, tried heading to the door, however, Toru held his wrist. "I thought you were asleep" Taka confessed quietly.

_I was, but I woke up when you moved

_I'm sorry

_I didn't tell you this to apologise. How is your head?

_I don't know, it hurts

_that's because you fell so hard

Toru explained, mentally murdering himself for not being there to stop him "were you that scared?"

Silence thundered once again. Taka nodded shamefully then he whispered "terrified" Toru softened and extended his arm to his partner "come here". Taka did as he was told, and Toru pulled him to his lap. The guitarist burried his nose in his frontman's hair and hugged him tightly. Taka's lips edged upwards, he was away from heights, he was away from danger, he was safe, in Toru's arms.