The Forest ((Menma X Reader One Shot))

The Forest

  The soft sound of a flute sounded as you walked through the forest. Your heartbeat quickened and you increased your pace. "Hello?" You called. The flute stopped and you felt lost. Where were you, anyway? You began to regret every venturing here. Such unfamiliar sounds and sights... It was so overwhelming. You were scared.

"Is someone there?" A man's voice suddenly replied. Someone's here!? Maybe they knew the way home. You ran until a light shone over the ground, lighing up a path. You broke free from the woods to find yourself atop a tall cliff. A young man looked up at you, flute in one hand, the other propping himself up. His legs hung over the cliff edge but he didn't seem afraid. "Hm?" He looked at you in confusion. You took a quick breath and smiled. "Oh hello." You held out your hand. What was he doing out here all alone? He played so beautifully, surely other people would love to hear it. The man shook it then looked over the cliff. He had shoulder length blonde hair and was wrapped in a scarf and cream shirt. "I'm... I think my name is Menma." Think? Was there something to doubt? You didn't bother asking. Whatever name he gave you, it wasn't a big deal.

You sat down beside him. "That's a nice name. Like the bamboo? I'm (y/n). Was that you playing that song?" Trying to make conversation, hopefully he could help you.

Menma nodded. "Yes. I love playing." He held out a wooden flute for you to see. "It's beautiful. Can you play it again?" You asked, examining his face. You would love to hear such an astounding melody again.

Menma nodded and brought his lips to the flute, taking a deep breath then began. The soft melody whistled in the wind. You closed your eyes and for a while you just sat and listened. You felt your heart ache while hearing the music. So much emotion was in his playing, you felt the wave of every note tighten around you. It felt somewhat safe, like despite everything that's happened up until now, there was a true place to go and be.. Home. You lost track of time, and turned back when he stopped playing, a little sad.

"That was lovely." You gave a smile, cheeks tainted pink.

Menma smiled. "You think so? Would you like to try?" He handed you the flute. You shook your head quickly. "I don't think I could." You hesitated. There was no way you could match what he could do. Menma gleamed, giving a nod. "I'm sure you could." He pushed some stray hair behind your ear. "Someone so beautiful must play amazing music."

You warmed at his touch. "O-Okay. I'll try." You weren't very good at this kind of thing. What if you mess up? Would he laugh?

You gently blew into the flute. It let out a soft melody until a single sour note ruined it. You sighed and handed it back. "See. I can't do it."

Menma chuckled. "It was really good." He set the flute down.

You felt your ears turn red. "You think so?" You swallowed a lump in your throat.

He nodded. "Yes. So, what were you doing out here anyway? Were you lost?" He wondered. You shrugged a reply. "I was mad at my mom so I ran away. It was only going to be for a little while but the forest looks the same from every direction and I couldn't find my way back." You explained. Menma stood up. "I'll help you back. I know the way to the village." He held out his hand. You took it gratefully and smiled. But after meeting him, you weren't really sure if you wanted to go back. You've never felt like you belonged there anyway. After hearing Menma's music, you felt there was a true place you were supposed to be. "Thank you. What about you? What were you doing?" You couldn't tell him that fact about your home though. What would he think?

"I... Well it's a long story." He looked away. You had felt the question somehow upset him so you changed the subject. "Do you have a family? Or a wife?" You added the last part but Menma shook his head. "No. Not really. My parents died when I was young." Despite his sadness, he still smiled at you. For some reason, it relieved a tension you didn't know you had. "Oh." Was all you could reply, following him back into the woods. It was a mostly silent want until he suddenly spoke up.

"This is it. Goodbye then." The village showed through the trees and Menma stopped. He turned around to leave but you quickly grabbed his arm. "Wait." You begged. "Could you come in with me? You don't want to be in that forest all alone right?" Maybe that's where you belonged. Even if it's in the village, you could feel somewhat of a belonging if he was beside you. You had just met but it felt like you've already known him for a long time.

Menma smiled and turned back to you, examining your face. "I would love to go in but the forest is my home." He looked back into the trees with a smile, a far off look was in his eyes. What was he thinking? Suddenly he leaned in and gave you a kiss on the cheek. "Maybe one day we'll meet again." He started off but seeing him go made your heart hurt. If he couldn't follow you, you wanted to follow him. Menma found where he belonged already and it wasn't in a town. "Please don't go." You whined, running up beside him. "I'll go with you then!"

The young man stopped. "But your home is here. I have nothing to offer you, (y/n). It would be silly to follow me."

He was right, to an extent. Your village had a house, food, and family. But you didn't belong there. That's what you and your mom were fighting about in the first place. "I don't care. I want too. Please." You pouted, trying to convince him. Menma laughed lightly at your attempts. "Alright. I could teach you the flute. But are you sure you won't miss your family?" He asked. You looked back at the village one last time. "Of course I will. But it'll be fun out here, right? I think I found where I belong." You held his hand and the two of you ventured into the forest once more.