ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ｅｉｇｈｔｅｅｎ

With the first snowfall of the winter season came an unbearable chill. Mikey absolutely hated the cold and would rather stay cooped up in a house all day if he was able to. But, he had work and his grandmother needed help sometimes, so he couldn't do that. Instead he spent the time he got off of work helping his grandmother until he had to get up the next day for work.

Also, with this snowfall came the incessant whining from Jasper who bothered Mikey to make a snowman with him. He was still a child at heart and Mikey liked that about his best friend. There were some parts of Mikey that were still childlike, but he matured a lot since graduating school and having a full-time job. It sucked that he really only went to work and hung out with Jasper whenever they were free, but that dwindled since the older of them had gotten a job as a business owner's personal assistant.

Mikey was happy for his best friend, but he couldn't help but feel a little annoyed that now they could really only hang out on the weekends or late at night. That also led to both boys being very frustrated in another sense, that it was almost comical of how quick clothes were to come off the second they saw each other on a free day.

The most recent time they were together, afterward, Mikey and Jasper laid on the latter's bed and talked for a little. Jasper reminisced, "if this job is anything like how I had to be Aiden's slave for like two days way back when, I will shoot myself."

Mikey snickered at the comparison and laid a hand on Jasper's arm, offering, "you'll do fine, I have faith in you, Jasper."

His smile was genuine and full of love that it knocked Jasper down a little. He stuttered over his words and ended up nodding, turning his eyes to his ceiling. Then, out of nowhere Jasper slapped Mikey's chest and sat up. He put boxers and a pair of sweatpants on, looking expectantly towards his best friend.

"C'mon, I want to watch anime."

Mikey laughed, "we just had sex and you want to watch anime after? You're ridiculous Jasp." But, he rolled off the bed and dressed the same was as Jasper, forgoing his jeans that laid on the floor by the bed. He chose a pair of Adidas sweatpants from one of Jasper's drawers and followed the twenty-one year old to the living room.

Both boys felt the chill in the apartment since the heater wasn't on full blast yet, and the wind was freezing and seemed to cut through your skin if you were out long enough. But, as Jasper dropped down to the couch and Mikey sat next to him with his whole side pressed to him, Jasper was warm enough.

Once on Hulu, Mikey pointed to the anime in Jasper's list: Assassination Classroom. With a smirk Mikey clicked the play button for them and got comfortable on the couch, crossing his arms on his bare stomach and setting his feet on the edge of the coffee table.

"C'mon, Mikey," Jasper whined over the phone, pouting into the screen where Mikey could see him through FaceTime. It was a couple days later and Jasper was having Mikey-withdrawals. "I'm hungry and don't want college food; I want actual good food."

Mikey rolled his eyes, grumbling to himself, and Jasper smiled at the other boy. He stated soon after, "I have to change then, so I'll meet you there."

"Mikey, it is six o'clock and you aren't changed for the day!" Jasper's eyebrows creased together in confusion, ready to make fun of his best friend as well. But, he was given the middle finger and their FaceTime call ended. The college student shook his head, but slid his phone in his Adidas and zipped the pocket, pulling on a sweatshirt as well as his heavy coat and called out to his roommates of his plans. Ricky hummed from the kitchen and Jasper was on his way.

At the restaurant Jasper chose on impulse, Ruby Tuesday, he notified Mikey of the decision once he was parked. He stayed on his car with his heat on, singing lightly to the songs coming through his phone, therefore through the car's speakers.

👕

I'm here where are you?

Like inside or parked?

👕

Parked by the light post with the wreath on it

Jasper got out and looked around, then headed to the light with a wreath at the top. Once Mikey's car was spotted, Jasper snuck around to the driver's side, then he slapped his hands to the cold glass. He smiled at how hard Mikey jumped in his seat, then stood away so he could get out. The engine shut off and Mikey was glaring at Jasper face to face.

"You suck," he stated and started to the front of Ruby Tuesday.

Still feeling playful, Jasper ran up to Mikey and swung his hand as hard as he could, slapping Mikey's butt with loud contact. The older boy dodged Mikey's hands and ran inside, hoping to be safe by the host stand with a girl smiling at him.

Mid sentence, asking for a booth for two, Mikey came up behind him and gave him the same treatment, cutting him off. The host choked out a short laugh, then shook her head and regained her composure. She led them to a booth and chuckled at Jasper's red tinted cheeks and Mikey's smug look.

"Your server for tonight will Andrew and he'll be over soon." Then she disappeared and Jasper was free to chew out Mikey.

"Bro," he started, "I was in the middle of speaking! You couldn't have done it before or after?"

Mikey curled his lip and shook his head as if that wasn't even an option for him. He looked down to his menu after taking off his heavy coat and pushed his long sleeves up to his elbows.

Once they were served their drinks and their server took away their menus, Jasper pointed out, "we're sort of matching," pulling up his own white shirt from under his sweatshirt. "Heck, we even have sweatpants and sneakers on too."

Mikey fondly mumbled, "you're an idiot," and busied himself with his phone, playing a game.

After they finished their food and paid almost an hour later, the two walked outside and had to blink again at the sight. Some time during their dinner it had snowed and a dusting of white covered the ground and cars. Mikey instantly looked over to his best friend and saw the humongous grin placed on his lips, nose already red from the freezing temperature.

There was a short silence between the boys, then Jasper was shouting excitedly, "it fucking snowed! Snowmen, Mikey!" He faced the one admiring him and grabbed onto his shoulders, shaking Mikey vigorously. Mikey laughed and pushed away from Jasper, scolding him a little.

"Tomorrow." That's all Mikey said, but it planted a seed of excitement in Jasper's bones that he wasn't able to harbor. It bubbled out of his eyes and mouth through a smile and sparkling eyes. "But I'm gonna go because I'm freezing my dick off."

That snapped Jasper out of his trance and he jumped forward to give Mikey a tight hug in a trance of excitement. He whispered his goodbye and backed away, waving over his shoulder while walking to his car. Once he was seated his heart beat out of his chest and his chest warmed at everything they'd done in the past hour—Jasper smacked Mikey's butt, Mikey did it back, they had dinner together, and then Mikey hugged him. It might not be unusual for other best friends, but Mikey and Jasper didn't really hug too often, so this one was special for the both of them.

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and breadcrumbs. I love that and can't help myself. Sorry I haven't had them get some major action lately. That's just how I wrote this book.

In addition, I am bored out of my mind so I've decided to update again. I'll also probably update again on Saturday since that is the day I usually try to update on. Here's to a surprise chapter 🥂

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