Richard was crouched low on the edge of the rooftop, eyes focused on the space below him. You stood a few feet away, looking confident, but Richard could see the tension in the way you flexed your fingers, preparing for the jump.

"Ready?" he asked, his voice steady despite the grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

Your expression was set with determination. Richard had seen that look before. A mix of focus and ambition, tempered with just a hint of uncertainty. You were still getting used to the height, the thrill, the risk.

But Richard knew you were capable. After all, this was your training—his way of helping you refine your skills.

He watched you spring into the air, a fluid motion as you aimed for the next rooftop. But then—

The slip.

It was subtle at first. The miscalculation of distance. A slight twist in your body mid-air. And then, before either of you could do anything, gravity took hold. You were falling fast, your arms flailing just slightly as you tried to regain control.

Instincts took over instantly, and Richard leapt into action, his own jump powerful and perfectly timed. He was right beneath you in a flash, reaching up to catch your waist mid-fall, his fingers locking around you just before you hit the ground. His momentum from the jump kept you both from slamming into the roof, and with a roll of his shoulders, he swung you into a safe landing.

For a moment, the world around him blurred, his focus solely on keeping you both steady. When the rush subsided, he looked down at you, catching your breath as you recovered from the near-miss.

"Okay, so... rule one of acrobatics," Richard said, his voice calm but with a hint of amusement. "Don’t let gravity win. Like, ever."

He gave you a wry grin, his hands still resting lightly on your shoulders, ensuring you were steady. His gaze softened a little as he took in your expression, the mix of frustration and embarrassment. He could see it—you didn’t like making mistakes, but he wasn’t going to let it rattle you.