"Soo," Jasper muses, straightening his posture, "We should probably talk about it."

Great job providing context, Jasper. What the fuck is that supposed to mean?

There are like a dozen different things they probably need to talk about, none of which Henry ever wants to address.

"Uh…" Henry winces, looking for any way to avoid the subject, "Sure, you can push the button."

Jasper holds hands together behind his back and gazes at him with a look of suspicion, "Why are you letting me press it without a fight?"

"Because- just because, okay." Henry answers, smiling forcefully, "It's your turn."

"No, it's not. You've let me press it the last two times in a row," Jasper recalls, raising his eyebrows, "Plus, the last time you honored turns was never."

"Well, as I am now eighteen," Henry tries, tilting his head, "I'm a mature young adult who can move past such trivial things-"

Jasper's shoulders raise, and he shakes his face knowingly, "You're changing the subject."

"Ha, me? Changing the subject?" Henry laughs too enthusiastically, "I am not- ooh, look at this button."

Henry slams his hand over the button, making Jasper unwillingly lurches forward the second the elevator is activated.

His arms shoot forward, clinging onto Henry for stability as they shoot up. The closeness of Jasper's body gives Henry the familiar urge to run, making him book it out of the elevator the second the doors swing open.

"Nice try, but I'm not gonna drop this." Jasper starts, walking fast as he follows behind Henry, "I know what you were doing in the bathroom."

Oh shit.

Deny, deny, deny.

Henry still doesn't look at Jasper as they step through the beaded curtain, biting back, "I wasn't in the bathroom."

"Okay," Jasper hums, fishing into his pocket, "'Schwoz' must have left his phone then."

Henry pales, body swinging back to spot the sight of Jasper holding his phone in his hands.

Fuckkkkk.

Henry's mouth falls open as he contemplates denying the phone is even his.

"So, Hen…" Jasper asks, circling around him, "Why were you recording me shower?"

"Recording you shower?" Henry repeats with a squeak, avoiding eye contact as he races his way to the front of the store, "Pfff," He blows a huff of air, considering throwing the door open and making his escape, "how could you even- think that I- I would- do something like that?"

"'Cause, your phone was in my shower," Jasper cocks his head, eyebrows raising, "recording me."

"Alright, valid point," Henry acknowledges, flipping the business sign to open, "But- but I dropped my phone in your shower after you grabbed me, so if anything, that whole… "He lifts his gaze but quickly realizes he can't bring himself to look Jasper in the eyes and gestures toward him while looking at the floor, "…awkward situation is really your fault."

"Okay," Jasper nods, twirling the device in his hands, "Can I ask a follow-up question?"

Henry bites the inside of his cheek, tone almost hopeful, "Would me saying no make a difference?"

"Nope, I'm asking anyway." Jasper declares, stepping forward, "Why were you standing outside my shower, recording me?"

Henry steps backward, breath hitching as his back falls against the door. Then Jasper's hand slams down onto the wood frame by his head, making Henry squeak.

He shrinks down into his shoulders as he's trapped. Jasper's so close that Henry can smell the lingering scent of his strawberry body wash, making it impossible for him to think.

This is it. Henry's gonna pass away right here. Honestly, he'd welcome death over continuing this conversation.

He stutters out his attempt to formulate any string of excuses that would make sense, but instead, all that leaves his mouth is an incoherent choking sound, "Well- I- y- d- wh... did-... w-when-..uh y- wh-d-wh-ar- um y- uhh y- ye- ah."

"You do realize you're not saying actual words, right?" Jasper asks, lowering his face to catch Henry's wandering gaze, "You were peeping on me."

"I- uh, whattt?" Henry stammers, swallowing hard, "Why would I wanna see you naked?" He questions, mouth twisting in uncertainty, "Dude, I'm not- I wouldn't- that's just gross."

Jasper looks almost surprised by his reaction but persists with a smug smile.

"P.E.A.P.ER, that spells peeper," He taunts, lifting his head back up, "'Cause you were peepin'."

Henry squints, "That's actually not how you spell-"

"Only a peeper would focus on spelling," Jasper chides, poking Henry's nose before he pushes himself up from the wall, "Which proves you're a peepin' peeper."

"That literally proves nothing," Henry argues, face red as Jasper pulls away, "There is no correlation at all between spelling and peeping."

"I don't know, Hen." Jasper hums, walking backward, "That sounds like something a peeper would claim," He states, waving the phone up, "Besides, try and name a correlation with cameras and showers that doesn't include something peepy-" Jasper cuts himself off with a giggle, "Teehee, I said peepee."

Henry lungs out, making a grab for the phone, "You are being so immature right now."

Jasper shifts his arm back to keep the phone away out of his reach, waving it above his head," Nuh-uh."

"Honestly," Henry says dishonestly, "I wasn't doing anything bad."

"I don't believe you." Jasper grins, chin sticking up, "You're a well-established liar."

"Fine," Henry challenges, running his hand over Jasper's arm, chasing the phone in his grasp, "What would you do if I was peeping on you in the shower?"

Jasper catches Henry's wrist, pulling him closer.

"Well," He winks, tongue flicking through his teeth as his smile turns into a smirk, "I'd invite you in."

Henry's pupils widen and his jaw falls open. He tenses completely, gazes traveling down to Jasper's saliva-slicked lips before snapping back up to his eyes—an unidentifiable sound chokes, escaping his throat.

Oh god. Is he-? Is Jasper flirting with him right now?

There's the slightest uncertain silence before Jasper snorts, "Easy, Honey Bucket." He sighs, his expression shifts into something softer before raising his hands in surrender, "I'm only kidding."

Yeah, right, bitch.

You wish you were kidding.

"Whatever," Henry bites out, dropping his arm, "It doesn't matter because I wasn't peeping."

"Yeah," Jasper admits, tossing Henry his phone, "I know."

Henry barely catches it as he falls against his chest and stares at Jasper in disbelief, "You know?"

"Yeah," Jasper snickers, wiggling his eyebrows, "I know."

"So, just for clarification," Henry starts, expression wild as he forces his phone back in his pocket, "You don't actually think I was peeping?"

Jasper's teeth bare wide, head shaking with entirely too much enthusiasm, "Nope."

"Then what- why?" Henry questions, puffing cheeks out, "Let me repeat, why?!" His voice raises an octave as he pinches his fingers in the air, "Why would you accuse me of something like that?!"

"Cause, Hen," Jasper sighs, throwing an arm over Henry's shoulder, pulling him closer, "I really needed to get something out…"

Henry gives Jasper a wary glance, "…What?"

Jasper leans down to his ear, causing Henry to feel his breath against his shuttering skin as he opens his mouth, then unexpectedly yells, "GOTCHYA!"

Henry shrieks and shoves Jasper off, "Gah- dude!"

"I so gotchya!" Jasper cackles, pumping his fist down in front of him, fingers flickering out like an explosion, "Boom!"

Henry presses a palm to his ear, glaring at Jasper as he puts his whole body into some sort of victory dance.

Bro is doing combinations of shoulder shimmying, hands jazzing, feet sliding, and booty boppin' all around the store.

"Unbelievable," Henry grumbles with an exaggerated look of disbelief, "What the hell was that for?!"

"Oh," Jasper raises a brow, huffing dramatically, "You know exactly what that was for."

"If I knew why," Henry hisses, running his hand through his hair before gesturing it back out, "I wouldn't be asking why?!"

Jasper clicks his tongue in a heavy disappointment as he pulls off the towel from around his neck and tosses it over Henry's head, "And here I thought I was the dumb one."

"Yeah," Henry quips instinctively, tearing the towel off his face, "You'd be right."

Jasper's expression falls flat as he gives a single forced laugh, "Ha," He says dryly, "Very funny."

"Thanks," Henry smirks, chucking the towel to the side, "I thought so."

Jasper rolls his eyes as he makes his way behind the counter, sarcastically mocking, "Of course you do."

"So, what?" Henry steps forward, "You did all of this because I threw a towel at you?"

"No." Jasper answers, reaching beside the cash register to ring the service bell after his every word, "I. did. it. because. I. think. recording. people's. private. shower. solos. is. not. a. very. nice. thing. to. dooo."

Henry laughs weakly, "What? I- I didn't record you…"

"You admitted to recording me like not even five minutes ago." Jasper deadpans, finger barely rising off the bell, "Plus, I saw it in your phone gallery."

"Oh." Henry scoffs, pressing a hand to his chest, "And you want to talk about invasions of privacy? What if- what if I had nudes on there."

"You did," Jasper says, finger obnoxiously moving up and down, rapidly ringing the bell, "mine."

Henry reaches over the counter, snatching that stupid service bell away, "'Scuse me?"

"Your phone did a little slip-in-slide into my shower," Jasper points out, flopping down onto the stool, "I'm not sure if you're aware of this, Honey Bucket, but I prefer to shower naked."

Henry sets the bell back down when the image of soapy water washing over Jasper's bare skin flashes through his mind, making his throat dry as he croaks out, "Obv- obviously."

"So," Jasper starts, pushing his foot against the counter, slowly propelling his seat into a spin, "I deleted it."

"You didn't have to do that." Henry blurts out, earning another one of Jasper's raised eyebrow looks, "I mean- couldn't you have just cropped 'it' out or something?"

"And have another cup song incident, no thanks." Jasper scoffs, kicks the counter again, circling faster, "You guys already ruined Pitch Perfect for me with all the teasing. You're nuts if you think I'm a let you make a mockery outta my Celine Dion shower time too."

Oh shit, Jasper's doing his spinning thing.

He only does this when his feelings are hurt. Did he really think they were mocking him? Henry didn't realize it was that important to him; they all just assumed it was one of his bits.

Damn it.

Henry knows this will probably invite many unsolicited serenades, but he'd rather be annoyed than see Jasper sad.

"I wasn't trying to make fun of you," Henry frowns, his stomach feeling sick as he watches Jasper twirl in frustration, "I- I was... recording…" He admits truthfully, averting his gaze, "Because- because I- uh… liked hearing you sing."

Jasper's hand abruptly shoots out to grip the counter, halting his spirals.

"What?" He asks entirely too earnestly, all the frustration in his voice dissipating into something softer, "…really?"

Henry lobs his head to the side, glancing back, "Yea..."

Jasper can't stop the giggles or the string of snorts that escape him. His freckled cheeks flush bright, and his whole body vibrates in excitement.

Jasper grins, teeth-baring so wide that his nose scrunches up and his eyes crinkle shut. Henry unconsciously smiles when those big, stupid, dopey, twinkling blue eyes open again to meet his gaze.

There's the version of Jasper he likes to see.

"I can sing whenever you want! I'll sing right now!" Jasper insists eagerly, lurching halfway over the counter to grasp Henry's shoulders, "I've memorized most AJR, Parry Gripp, and Depeche Mode songs and- and all early two thousand Disney Channel original soundtracks."

Henry unwillingly jerks forward as Jasper yanks him closer, attempting to interject, "Hold up-"

"I'm not the best on the guitar yet, but I can do the Bill Nye theme song on the Kazoo," Jasper cuts him off, barely taking a breath as he rambles on, each new word coming out faster than the last, "Plus, I know practically every ninety's dancing hit or- or um the great icons like Lady Gaga, and Madonna, Harry Styles, Ariana Grande, Beyonce, Adele-!"

Henry clasps a hand over Jasper's mouth, stopping any more words from shooting out. Jasper makes a tiny squeak, his eyes widening in shock.

"Jasp," Henry beckons, dropping his hand from Jasper's face to his chest, "You need to breathe."

Jasper's heartbeat races underneath Henry's fingertips; the buried muscle under his hoodie hardens as he tenses slightly under the unexpected touch before his body melts against it.

"Sorry," Jasper apologizes, flashing a small sheepish sideways smile. Obediently, letting Henry's palm rise and fall with every slow inhale and exhale of his lungs. "I'll slow down."

Henry gently guides Jasper back down to his spot on the stool, "There we go."

Jasper lets his hands fall at his sides the second he sits, face still beaming. "Hey, do you think Ray will let me sing at his wedding?"

"Oh my god," Henry pales. He's been so focused on Jasper that he hasn't been able to think about anything else, "I totally forgot about that."

"So, is that a no, or?"

"Of course, it's a no." Henry states as if it were obvious, pushing off the counter, "You're not gonna sing at the wedding because there isn't going to be a wedding."

"Awe," Jasper pouts, face no longer beaming, "Did they call it off?"

"We're calling it off." Henry states, pacing through the store, "There's something off about this Gwen lady. It takes twenty-five minutes for him to decide what candy bar he wants at the gas station!" He insists, running his hands through his hair, "He'd need more than three hours to be convinced to settle down in holy freakin' matrimony."

Jasper's gaze grows distant as he remembers the last food run he went on for Ray. The man changed his mind every few seconds.

For example, Jasper had been sent to the good Nacho Ball outside of town, already standing in line when Ray blew up his phone. He suddenly decided he wanted Sushi Dushi instead.

Jasper hadn't even been irritated that he raced to Neighborville for nothing. He was, however, starting to lose it the second time Ray flooded his messages, overpowered by the sudden craving for Burger Castle.

It wasn't until his fifth restaurant stop that Ray decided he really did want Nacho Ball after all.

At that point, Jasper was done and refused to run all the way to the good one. So he just ordered from the close one, knowing he'd receive multiple strings of complaints instead of thanks when he finally delivered the food.

Sometimes, it feels impossible to appease Ray, like nothing he ever does is enough. That entire situation was kinda pointless anyway since they have access to the auto-snacker.

There's like a thousand different food combinations programmed there alone. Jasper personally always goes for the auto-soup or a churros.

Right now, a churro sounds good- but he'll still settle for soup. Wait a minute- What if the auto snacker could somehow make a soup-churro hybrid-

"You get what I mean?" Henry asks, fidgeting with the bucket of swords, "Ray has never not boasted about his every sexual conquest- we'd know what too much about her before she'd be introduced to us. This doesn't make any sense."

Jasper aimlessly nods, "Mhm, yeah."

Henry seems satisfied with that response and starts babbling off again, speed walking back and forth.

Jasper can't help but tune him out again, mind wandering back to his stomach, and he glances around the counter in search of a stashed granola bar. He pouts when he can't seem to find it.

His search halts the second he hears a faint, low grumble. At first, he thought it was his tummy since it usually yells at him when he's hungry, but it's not.

It's coming from Gooch's plant on the counter, rising awake and whining in thirst. Reluctantly, Jasper grasps the nearby watering can and drops down to his feet.

Jasper walks around the counter, thankful that at least one of them will get to eat. He slowly brings the end of the water spicket to Omar's mouth, trying to entice him to open up, but the closer Jasper gets, the louder he growls.

"Henry…" He calls.

Henry turns around, "Yeah?"

Jasper frowns, gesturing with his head, "This plant is intimidating me."

"Dude, we got way bigger problems right now," He scowls, hand waving in the air, "Then… plant thirst." He gestures vaguely before returning to his pacing, "I mean, why would Ray? Why would Ray marry a lady he's only known for three hours?"

Jasper ponders briefly, then says his only logical answer: "Maybe she has a trampoline?"

Henry's eyes squint, jaw falling in disbelief, unable to comprehend how Jasper's brain even comes up with that conclusion.

Yet, in Jasper's mind, it does make sense because back in the first grade, he used to dream of proposing to Henry with a trampoline since he's always wanted one.

Like, Henry would have gained a husband and a trampoline. Talk about your win-win opportunities.

Henry shakes his head; he doesn't know how to respond to that question. Jasper opens his mouth to explain his reasoning when Omar grumbles loudly behind him, making him lose all sense of thought when he jumps up.

Jasper slowly turns back to face it again, frowning in irritation. Sure, plant thirst doesn't seem like a big problem to Henry, but it is.

The plant needs water. Jasper needs to give him water. The real problem here is that Omar doesn't like him.

Admittingly, Jasper would probably be upset if the guy who raised him from a seedling was replaced, and he knows from personal experience how much having a dad walk out on you stings.

Yet, Gooch leaving isn't his fault, and unlike this stuck-up mutant venus flytrap, he doesn't throw hissy fits at friendly people who try to water him just because his daddy dipped out.

However, Jasper can't behave like his parents and quit trying to care for him simply because it's too inconvenient.

Jasper carefully brings his hand to his head, fingers ever so slightly petting his green leaves.

"C'mon, smile for me- AAghk!" His soft voice turns into a sharp shout when Omar spits one of his plant loogies over his face, "He globbered me!"

"Alright, alright," Henry sighs softly, gently grasps his shoulders, and moves in front of him, "It's not that bad." Henry assures, hand rising from Jasper's shoulder to his cheek as he plucks a tissue out of the nearby tissue box and carefully wipes the green junk out of his eyelashes, "It's just a little bit." He whispers, his thumb nimbly gliding across Jasper's soft skin, proudly showing off the stained tissue to Jasper when his eyes flutter open, "Here, I got it."

Jasper slightly leans into the pressure of Henry's palm, head tilting in Henry's hand as he glances up, "All of it?"

"Yeah." Henry nods, forcing himself to tear his gaze away from Jasper's impossibly blue eyes. His touch lingers a few moments longer than it should before Henry reluctantly drops his arm, immediately missing the warmth under his fingertips the second it's gone, "You're good."

Jasper grins, rubbing his face with the sleeve of his hoodie, "Thank you-"

"Henry," a voice calls, followed by the sound of the store's bell ringing as Gwen walks through the door, greeting, "Jasper."

Jasper frowns as Henry's attention is drawn from him, responding with a meek, "Hi, Gwen."

This woman is gonna tap dance on his last nerve. Who does she think she is saying hi to Jasper? She doesn't even deserve to know his name.

"Uh, Jasper…" Henry calls out, instinctively putting himself between Jasper and her, "Why don't you go to the bathroom?"

Jasper's face flashes with confusion, "Cause, I'm empty?"

Henry takes a deep sigh. "Then go into the bathroom and use your phone to listen to your Celine Dion playlist."

"As you should know," Jasper bites back, "Me and Celine Dion already had our special bathroom time."

"Fine," Henry curses under his breath, "Just stay behind me."

"Fine," Jasper chides, crossing his arms, "But only because I like being behind you."

Bruh.

Luckily, Henry is too busy to respond to that. Something about Gwen makes Henry tense. His intuition is telling him she's dangerous. He locks his scrutinizing gaze on her, watching her walk down the steps, holding tupperware?

"You know," Gwen says off-handedly, fidgeting with things in the store. "Henry, I got the feeling last night that you don't want me to marry your friend Ray."

"Well," Henry states, crossing his arms, "I'm glad you got that feeling, 'cuz that feeling is exactly what I want your feeling to be." He huffs, "Ya feelin' me?"

Her face scrunches up, "I'm sorry, one more time?"

"No," Henry mocks, running his tongue over the inside of his cheek, "I'm sorry, cuz' I don't repeat stuff. "

"You don't even remember what you said," Jasper interjects, "do you?"

"Duuuude, shut up." Henry snaps back momentarily before returning his glare to Gwen, "I know Ray." Henry says, puffing his chest, "There's no way he'd meet you and ask you to marry you on the same day unless you… did something!"

She smirks, then frowns, "Y'know, Henry, I was hoping we could be friends, but now," She sighs, popping open the lid to the container she brought, "I'm sorry that I made you these muffins."

"M-Muffins?" Henry questions, head shaking. "I'm not gonna just…" his voice trails off the second the intoxicating smell hits him, and he grabs one out of compulsion, "They smell so good."

Jasper's stomach growls embarrassingly loud, "Hey, can I have one too?"

"Sure, sweetheart," Gwen smiles smugly, holding the box out for him, "The more the merrier."

"Sweet," Jasper cheers, grabbing the biggest muffin, "I'm so hungry."

"Mmm," Henry moans beside him, taking a bite, "They taste like what I imagine the clouds in heaven taste like."

Jasper gladly takes a bite, expecting the euphoria of flavors Henry described- but instead, it tastes almost like melted plastic to him.

"Oh…" Jasper chews uncomfortably, forcing himself to swallow, "They taste really um-"

"Amazing, right?" Henry interjects, shoving his face full, "What are these, banana nuts?"

"Yes." Gwen says pleasantly, "Jasper, what do you think?"

"Gross." Jasper answers firmly, "Literally, the worst thing I've ever eaten."

Gwen's face pinches tightly, but before she can address his answer, Charlotte and Schwoz burst through the beaded curtain, yelling and screaming out, "Don't swallow those muffins!"

Jasper squeals when Schwoz yanks him down to his height by the collar of his sweatshirt, demanding he regurgitate every bite.

"gah-!" Jasper barely manages to gag as Schwoz's tiny fingers force their way into his mouth, "Why?"

"The ladiee makes bad moofins," Schwoz answers, smacking the muffin from Jaspers's hands, "She gave vone to Ray, and he fell in love with her."

"No," Jasper panics, scraping his hand over his tongue in a frenzy, "I don't wanna fall in love with a woman."

Henry doesn't have time to react like Jasper does because Charlotte shoves her entire hand in his mouth, telling her how dangerous it is. Then, not even a second later, she's shoving a vacuum down his throat.

"Hey!" Gwen yells, intervening by grabbing Henry's arm, "Let him eat the muffin!"

Charlotte chucks the vacuum to the side. It hits Schwoz in the face, knocking him back. But she's more concerned with helping Henry grasp his arm, attempting to yank him away from Gwen.

"You back up!" Charlotte screams.

Henry tries to pry himself out of their grasp with all his strength, only to have the force he pulls himself free, sending him back into random piles of junk. Head smacking back onto a table as he collapses unconscious to the floor.

Jasper's heart sinks, and his gaze grows distant as the oddly specific sound of Henry hitting the table, and then the tile makes his world go dark. For a split second, everything shifts around him, his mind morphing the room into that of a memory.

He's suddenly back at his house, that same sound replaying as he hears his grandma fall. He sank to her side, hyperventilating at the bottom of the stairs over her body as his mother toward them at the top of the steps.

Henry tries to pry himself out of both their grasps with all his strength, only to have the force that he pulled himself free with sending him flying back into random piles of junk. Head smacking back onto a table as he collapses unconscious to the floor.

Jasper's heart sinks, and his gaze grows distant as the oddly specific sound of Henry hitting the table, and then the tile makes his world go dark. For a split second, everything shifts around him, his mind morphing the room into that of a memory.

He's suddenly six years old again, that same sound replaying as he hears his mother fall. He sank to her side, hyperventilating over her body as her breathing shakes, a needle still sticking out of her arm.

She barely blinked, her expression empty as he begged her to let him call an ambulance or even the Captain Man emergency line- just please- let him call anyone to help her! She refused and said it would kill her buzz.

Yet, she stopped breathing, and he called anyway. The call never even made it through.

That's when he learned the cell towers in the Swellview slums were never updated, preventing them from connecting to Captain Man's emergency hotline.

So, he was left alone to figure it out. Jasper did the compressions over and over for ten minutes, only to hear a haunting echo of her ribs cracking under the pressure because he was trying so hard to bring her back.

She woke up from death mad, but at least he got her to wake up.

Jasper blinks once, then twice, pupils dilating as reality comes back into focus. Reality washes over him like a cold chill across his skin. His returning sight back to the image of Henry sprawled unconscious on the ground.

He sprints towards Henry, running between Gwen and Charlotte, screaming at each other to get by his best friend's side, yelling, "I know mouth-to-mouth resuscitation!"

Jasper's fingers tremble as they press against Henry's pulse, searching for that small sensation of life like he had done to his mother a thousand times before.

Yet, this time, he couldn't find it without Gwen sinking her nails into the hood of his sweatshirt, pulling at him.

Gwen hisses, "I need to kiss him!"

"Hey," Jasper screams even louder, pushing into her chest as hard as he can, "I'm his best friend!"

He doesn't even register the way she flies back into some random display of junk. His attention focuses on Henry as panic bubbles in his chest.

Jasper can't tell if he's breathing or not- his hands won't stop shaking enough to feel his pulse. He can't take that chance. He takes a deep breath and leans in.

He carefully cradles Henry's chin as he lowers his face, sealing his lips over Henry's as he slowly blows in.

All of Jasper's panic decapitates the second Henry moves under him. Jasper starts to move back when one of Henry's arms suddenly rises and wraps around his head, holding his face in place as he surges forward and kisses him with such a force that makes Jasper feel like he's the one who stopped breathing.

Henry's other hand coils around his shoulder, gripping him tightly as he tries pulling him closer than physically possible.

Jasper's hand reaches down, grasping Henry's shirt, fingers trembling as he fights the urge to deepen the kiss, but instead pushes his palm into Henry's chest and attempts to hold him back.

Henry fights this and chases the warmth of Jasper's mouth until he finally manages to break away, leaving the only thing still connecting their lips is a string of saliva and an air of mingled, panting breaths.

His eyes grow wide, blinking rapidly as he tries to process the fact that Henry just kissed him- correction- still trying to kiss him. Jasper gasps as Henry lunges again. He throws his arms up in defense, pushing back against Henry's face as he scrambles back.

He fights to get to his feet, barely escaping Henry's grasp. He stands up straight, breath hitching, skin flushing, and his chest throbbing with each racing heartbeat.

Jasper swallows hard, eyebrows knitting as he brings his knuckles to his mouth and nimbly glides them over his still-parted lips.

"Hen?" He calls hesitantly, dropping his arm, "Are you-" Jasper croaks, voice faltering as the second Henry's hand slides into his, "Are you okay?"

Henry doesn't speak; instead intertwines their hands. He grins, fidgeting with Jasper's fingers, tracing them up and down, "Your skin is so soft."

"Uh- thanks?" Jasper murmurs, eyebrows shifting in concern, "Henry, you just- your- you're confusing me."

"Oh no," Henry frowns, free hand running up Jasper's sides as he rises, "I never want to confuse you."

Jasper feels his jaw tighten as Henry meets his gaze, eyes lighting up the second they connect with his- literally lighting up.

There's this weird purple flash of color before it dissipates into a haze that clouds over his pupils, turning them from that doe brown into this deep, unnatural maroon.

Henry sighs happily, "I love you."