ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ｎｉｎｅｔｅｅｎ

As promised, Mikey texted Jasper to come over so they could make snowmen. It was after both of their jobs, so it was around eight at night and dark outside, but the streetlights and the front porch light from Mikey's home lit up the front yard. He told his brothers what he was planning on doing, and they all agreed to come out with him. Aiden's friend was over as well.

Once Jasper was parked and out of his car, he ran to edge of the yard and jumped. He landed in the foot of snow face first, and Mikey could hear his giggle. Aiden had a smirk on his face and he shushed all the Balm brothers, making his way over to the twenty-one year old. Then, he fell backwards and pushed him further into the snow.

Form underneath him, Jasper grunted, "get off, you're heavy!"

Aiden scoffed, "I'm offended," but stood up and lingered near Cadence. Mikey helped Jasper stand up, but there was a handful of snow shoved into Mikey's face. That started the snowball fight quickly and each were one their own.

After awhile some of the brothers went inside, complaining about the cold and snow getting in their shoes and pants. Mikey stayed out with Jasper since they had yet to build a promised snowman, and Cadence and Aiden disappeared off to somewhere secluded.

"Jasper, why don't we make that snowman and then go inside?" Mikey looked hopefully to his best friend and was relieved when he agreed with the plan.

So, Jasper stood up from his snow angel, standing back to look at it and grinned. He stepped around it and made his way next to Mikey who was squatting and creating the first ball of snow. Jasper kneeled beside him and they silently got to work with more snow falling around them.

At one point a snowflake fell on Jasper's eye and he could see the white blur when he looked forward. He chuckled at the sight and got Mikey's attention to show him that.

"Heh, look I have dandruff on my eyelashes, Mikey."

Mikey rolled his eyes but kept the look of his best friend in the snow, etched into his memories. He looked like his own type of angel with the snow falling around him, dots of white on his eyelashes, some snowflakes in the hair that escaped his hair, and both Jasper's cheek and nose were pink from the frigid temperature. Mikey had the strongest urge to lean over and either kiss Jasper's red cheeks or his smiling lips.

But, the cold boy looked away and went back to making a large snowball for the middle of the snowman they were making. Jasper shoved in a handful of stones from Mikey's walkway to the door, they took Jasper's hat to place on top, and Mikey's scarf to wrap around the meeting point of the top two snowballs. Both boys stepped back and admired their work.

"I think it turned out pretty good," Jasper stated and set his hands on his hips.

He turned his head to look at Mikey and caught him looking already. There was something strong pulling the two together and they stood mere inches from each other, both white puffs of their breathing mixing together before following the frigid wind. Jasper held the bottom of Mikey's sweatshirt as a way to ground himself, but he still felt like he was floating with the way Mikey was looking at him.

It was like an unsaid agreement between the two boys, and neither could tell who leaned closer. Jasper's eyes roamed Mikey's face and they ended on his lips, only imagining what it'd feel like to finally kiss him. He was so close too—Mikey had his one hand squeezing Jasper's hip that was facing the house, and Jasper moved his unoccupied hand to the side of his best friend's neck.

Then, out of nowhere, Aiden's voice cut through the air and split the two boys apart. They both equally moved away from the other, stumbling away, and the air between them turned awkward swiftly. The same thought ran through both of their minds: I shouldn't be kissing him.

"Mikey! You have to come look at this, it's so cool!" He shouted and then his body came around the corner of their neighbor's house and Cadence leisurely walking behind him. Mikey's brother was dead set on having him come along, and he gave Mikey a strong glare, so he walked towards the sixteen year old.

Jasper sniffed and bit at his bottom lip, contemplating on going along. But, he made his way to his car instead. He told Mikey quietly, "I think I'm gonna go." He shuffled where he was and couldn't look up to meet Mikey's eyes.

"Don't go."

Mikey sounded a little hurt, and when Jasper looked up he looked extremely vulnerable. He couldn't say no to that, so he made his way next to Mikey and followed him wherever Aiden was taking them.

.

..

...

After seeing what Aiden wanted to show them, the four of them came inside and changed out of their snowy outfits and into warmer clothes. Then, Mikey and Aiden took down their clothes and their friend's to wash and dry them. Inside the laundry room Mikey couldn't help but hit his brother as hard as he could. He was mad at his brother for interrupting him and Jasper and he felt like this was the only time he'd be able to talk about it.

"What was that for," Aiden whined and turned on the washing machine once everyone's clothes were in—their two younger brothers' included.

Mikey growled, "fuck you actually." He glared at his younger brother and kept them in the room until he was done yelling at Aiden. The older brother blocked the door with his body and swatted away the hands from Aiden trying to leave.

Then, realization washed over Aiden's face and he gasped, "wait were you two gonna kiss?"

"Fuck, yes–" Mikey resisted throttling Aiden's neck and making him pass out right in the spot he was standing at–"and you were the one to ruin it. Now it won't happen again."

And without even needing Aiden's question that was in his eyes, Mikey confessed, "yes I like Jasper."

He stormed off to their room and dropped on the space beside Jasper. He huffed quietly and found himself finding comfort in Jasper's warmth. Mikey gazed towards his best friend's screen and saw the anime they were watching together at one point. So, he pulled the blanket over him and silently watched the show. He pushed his fingertips into Jasper's covered side, huffing in amusement when Jasper inhaled sharply.

But, Jasper knew and could feel that Mikey was angry, so he looked over and whispered, "what's wrong?"

Mikey scoffed, the short happiness disappearing at the thought of his annoying younger brother, "nothing. I'm just mad at Aiden."

Jasper hummed appreciatively, then said, "that's understandable." Then they were back to the weird silence between them and watching Assassination Classroom.

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Te hehe, here's some angst if that's the right word. They aren't gonna kiss that easily now. And it is officially Saturday (basically 12:30am rn) so here's your update because I can't wait any longer and I'm bored.

But, on the other hand, can I rant about Furudate and Haikyū? Why did he decide to make Inarizaki so fcking OP? Like why? This week's episode made me so frustrated.

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