(6/28/15) EDIT: Okay this is officially going on hiatus! I know I've taken a long time between chapters in the past that might count as hiatuses, but this time I thought I'd make it official and have an announcement and everything.

I've kind of hit a bad block where I have no idea what to do. I've asked readers for ideas before and people have really pitched in (for which I am eternally grateful), but there's also the matter of actually developing those ideas, and I'm just having trouble with it all right now. I don't want to abandon this just yet, but I also don't want to write anything half-assed either, so I'm taking official, voluntary time-off from this series so that I don't start overthinking things.

Thanks for sticking around, and reading and reviewing, and understanding. I'll be back, I promise.

(Maybe all I really need to do is rewatch the show, haha.)

(i can't come up with a good title; maybe i'll think of one later)

Roberto hasn't wanted to climb a tree since he was eight, but it's been a long week of quizzes and essays and rigorous Danger Room sessions, and the oak tree by the east wing of the mansion - the one with thick, sturdy lower branches as wide as his waist - calls to him. After a particularly frustrating day of school, he realizes all he wants is to sit in that tree.

He drops off his things and gets a quick snack. The mansion is quiet; even though they all get out of class at more or less the same time, everyone manages to come home at scattered times. Roberto wonders, vaguely, where they all are. His mind comes up empty, and it wants to stay empty.

It's a nice day to climb trees. He takes a moment, standing on the lawn to relish the heat of the afternoon sun.

The lowest branch is still a good two feet above his head, so he uses his powers to give him a little boost. He could fly up to an ideal branch. He could. But where's the fun if you don't really climb, with your hands and feet?

It isn't like he has a knack for climbing or anything like that. But his limbs and muscles remember it from eight years ago, in a different yard with another kind of tree and somewhere else he was supposed to call home.

He doesn't want to go too high up. At about ten feet from the ground, he finds a sturdy branch perfectly angled for sitting. It takes a while to get truly comfortable - tree branches could be murder on your tailbone - but when he does, there's no place he'd rather be.

Roberto closes his eyes.

The only sound is the wind through the leaves. In the distance, the sound of a car, only passing by.

It feels good to get away.

Barely ten feet off the ground, and that was enough. Far away enough from the agitating memories of school, the confusing classes, the homework burning a hole through his binder. From training sessions, power lessons. From teachers, both at Bayville High and the Institute. Far away from his father, finally far enough from a man halfway around the world but still possessing the power to impart expectations and pressure and -

Roberto sighs.

Here there is only wind, leaves, and sun. And yes, a tree branch digging into his tailbone. It's a small price to pay. Up here he feels like he can breathe.

He half expects to doze off - God knows he could use a nap - but surprises himself by staying awake and scheduling the rest of his week. Now that his mind is clearer, he sorts through everything calmly, making note of important things.

His zen planning is disrupted by familiar voices. Bobby, Amara, and Jubilee are coming up the path. It doesn't take long for them to see Roberto.

"Wow, look at you," Jubilee crowed in mock amazement. "I had no idea you were capable of loafing around!"

"I contain multitudes," Roberto said in fake solemnity.

"Right, whatever," Bobby laughs. "Just don't fall asleep up there!"

Roberto eventually does, despite the warning. It's just so nice here. Luckily, it isn't long before he's woken up by miniature fireworks blowing up chunks of ice into his tree.

Fin

I don't think I'd written one that was really about Roberto or from his point of view, so. In my experience, overachievers tend to have a lot of pressure on them and I thought about this with Roberto a lot.

I... have been writing, technically? But i've also been hit with a lot of blocks and second-guessing myself and my ideas, and as a result not feeling really confident about posting any of it.

Anyway, thanks for bearing with me (and for reading, of course).