Love and Loss

- chilly -

Juniper woke up, still laying down on the soft green grass of his backyard. He looked down at his lap to see Ashton. The small boy was curled up in a ball on his lap, still sound asleep. There was a small smile on the sleeping boy's face, and Juniper felt a smile of his own tugging at the corners of his lips. He looked so small and happy. He ran his fingers through his hair gently.
Ashton stirred in his sleep before opening his shining gray eyes. The small boy stretched out a little, then looked back at Juniper.
"Good morning, Juni!"
He greeted whilst rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
"How'd you sleep?"
Juniper smiled softly as Ashton looked back at him.
"I slept great. Do you wanna know why?"
Ashton tilted his head to the side, his eyes widened in innocent confusion and curiosity.
"Why did you sleep well?"
Juniper looked down at him, running his hand through his hair again, still smiling.
"Because I had you right by me the whole time."
This caused a bright red blush to fade into Ashton's face, along with a warm and loving smile.
"Awh Juni ... that's so sweet!"
The smaller boy quickly wrapped his arms around Juniper, his eyes squeezed shut tightly, and the sleeves of his oversized sweater flopping way past the tips of his fingers as he did so. Juniper had to keep himself from tumbling backwards, laughing happily as he held him as tight as he could to his chest.
He never wanted to let go.
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A few hours had passed, and Ashton got a text from his mom, saying that he had to go back home. The small boy looked up at his partner.
"Hey Juni, I've got to go-"
The taller boy frowned a little, then went up to Ashton and held him tight and close.
"Okay... I'm gonna miss you"
The smaller boy giggled softly melodically. God, Juniper loved that laugh. It made his heart flutter.  Juniper let go and quickly planted a soft and gentle kiss on the smaller boy's lips, making his cheeks grow red.
"I love you, Juni"
The boy said softly. Juniper smiled warmly at him.
"I love you too, I'll see you tomorrow!"
Ashton walked over to his car, waving and smiling. Juniper watched as he got in the driver's seat, started the car, and drove off, and the tall boy followed the vehicle with his eyes until he couldn't see it anymore.
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The next day was freezing and frigid, and it was cold enough to see your breath escape your lips as you exhaled like smoke into the air.
Juniper had traded in his classic black and patched up hoodie for a simple pale gray hooded jacket for the day. He was waiting for the doora to open at the front of the school, and waiting for Ashton.
Ashton had to wash his oversized starry sweater, and that was the only thing he had to keep him warm in the freezing cold at the moment. So when he met up with his lover, standing by him stiffly with only a thin long aleeved shirt, he was shivering. He had his hands clasped together, rubbing his palms against one another to try and warm himself up. He sniffled, his nose was red and runny.
Juniper looked down at the smaller boy with concern, moving his hands away from obe another and holding them, taken aback by the freezing cold touch.
"Hey Ash... why didn't you wear more than that? You're absolutely freezing out here-!"
Ashton looked up at him, doing his best to smile at him reassuringly and sweetly.
"D-don't worry about it, Juni, I can hold out for a fuh-few more m-minutes. The doors are gonna open soon, I can deal."
Juniper sighed softly, still slightly worried. He thought for a while. He didn't have any heating packs or anything like that. Suddenly, he widened his eyes with the realization of a small idea.
"Hey Ash, give me a hug"
Juniper grabbed the edges of his hooded jacket as Ashton tilted his head to the side, arching an eyebrow in confusion.
"Wait... what? Why do you need a hug now-?"
"Come on, just give me a hug"
Juniper insisted once more.
"But why do you need a hug-?"
Juniper cut him off.
"Just trust me. Okay Ash?"
Ashton hesitantly nodded and walked closer to him. Juniper grabbed fhe ends of his hooded jacket again and wrapped them around the fragile-looking and shivering boy, creating a blanket of sorts. Ashton blushed a vibrant pink hue and smiled slightly, cuddling his head into Juniper's chest and letting out a small contented sigh. Juniper gently rested his chin on top of the smaller boy's head.
"Does this feel better?"
Ashton nodded.
"Yeah, it does."
They stayed there in silence for awhile, and slowly but surely, Ashton had stopped shivering so much. His silver eyes were closed in a peaceful manner, and the small smile on his face wasn't leaving any time soon. Juniper looked down at him.
"Awh... you look so adorable... and perfect... and tiny."
Ashton giggled softly before speaking up, his eyes flickering open.
"Hey what-? I'm not tiny, you're just tall-!"
The taller boy started laughing softly before he replied.
"Okay, okay. I'm tall.... and you're tiny"
Ashton looked flustered, but he couldn't help laughing along with him. After he had gotten himself under control and caught his breath, Ashton protested once more.
"Okay. But seriously, I'm not tiny."
He insisted.
Juniper pecked him on the tip of his nose gently and playfully with a small smile on his face.
"Yeah you are. There's no denying it."
Ashton sighed in defeat, blushing a light shade of red.
"F-fine. You win."
The smaller boy admitted, flustered but still smiling brightly up at him.
"See? I told you, you can't deny it."
Juniper said, laughing, running his fingers through Ashton's hair, earning a melodic giggle from him as the front doors of the school were opened. Juniper hesitantly let go and zipped his jacket back up, putting an arm around the smaller boy's shoulders and walking him into the building.

WORD COUNT- 1037
I'm hoping to get weekly updates in, but due to school that might not be possible, I'll update as soon as I can.