"Great!" Gwen yells, picking herself up and glaring at Charlotte past the hair curtained over her face, "See what you did?!"

"What I did?" Charlotte scoffs.

Gwen sneers, "Yeah!"

Charlotte's face twists, throwing her arms in the air, "I'm not the one who's been boppin' around here with a big box of mystical muffins!"

"Well, because of you," Gwen argues, "These two are probably about to start boning right here in the middle of the store!"

Jasper's voice cracks, "eXcuse ME-?!"

Gwen's head turns sharply, expression unreadable as he moves towards Jasper, nails dully pressing into his cheek as she tilts his jaw up and forces him to look at her, "How are you not affected?"

"Don't." Henry growls, shoving her hand away, pushing his way between them with a crazed look as he tilts his head, "Ever touch my Jasper."

"Yeah," Jasper says with a sharp nod, frowning as he smooths out his hoodie, "Don't touch me."

"Only I get to touch him!" Henry huffs, pulling Jasper close to him, "So there."

"Yeah, there." Jasper repeats with full enthusiasm before pausing, "Wait, what?!"

"Hmm." Gwen sighs, retreating her arm, "Interesting."

"Gwennn," Ray's voice calls as he runs out from the elevator, "I was just dreaming about the first time we met!"

"Ray, no! You don't really love her." Charlotte tries to reason, "She gave you a bad muffin that tricked you, "She explains, pushing back against his chest, "She tried to do it to Henry too." She states, digging her heels into the ground, "Except Henry fell in love with Jasper by mistak-"

Charlotte's voice is cut off when Ray unintentionally takes her with him as he moves toward the love of his life. Her pleas muffled between him and Gwen as she's trapped between them. They start to kiss over her head, giving her no space to gag.

"Aw," Ray giggles, finally pulling away, "My baby's so smart."

Gwen runs her hands down Ray's arms, "Could you please make all of these people leave so we can be alone?"

"Alright, everybody out!" Ray demands, "C'mon, let's go!"

Ray shoves Charlotte into Henry, pushing him into Jasper. Everyone but Henry- who is just excited by the simple physical contact of being close to Jasper- protests as they stumble back into the door.

"Oh, but you gotta go, okay!" Gwen calls out, waving obnoxiously, "Hate to see you go, but go."

Charlotte struggles to turn the door knob with the body weight of two other people pressing against her, but the second she does, the door springs open violently. With one final push from Ray, they all crumble out towards the sidewalk.

Charlotte yelps as her shoulders collide into the pavement, the sound only getting louder when the sight of Jasper's backside comes barreling towards her. She instinctively rolls out of the way, narrowly escaping being his landing pad when he crashes beside her a second later.

Jasper takes a shuttered breath, wincing in anticipation because Henry never lets go of his hand and gets dragged down, too.

Jasper clenches his teeth in pain when he feels the impact of Henry's body falling into his. The weird angle sends an elbow into his ribs, and one of Henry's knees comes terrifyingly close to landing on Jasper's groin as they fall to either side of his leg.

Henry seems completely unphased by his descent and didn't make a single sound of distress. Perhaps that's because he's the only one who didn't hit the ground.

However, Jasper strongly suspects his response is muffin-related when Henry props himself up with his free arm and kneels over him.

Henry smirks, "Hey."

"Hi?" Jasper gives an uncomfortable exhale, nostrils flaring slightly as Henry's knee subtly shifts, "You could think about letting me up?"

"Awe," Henry frowns, head tilting, "Do I have to?"

"Dude." Jasper swallows hard, pushing back on Henry's shoulder, "Please?"

"Okay," Henry reluctantly says, pulling away, "Just because you asked so nicely," He states, standing up, still not dropping Jasper's hand as he rises, "and because your smokin' hawt," He adds, barely giving Jasper a second to react before he rips him up off the ground, "Oh, and because I love you."

Jasper stumbles forward- like Henry knew he would. He takes a surprised gasp, instinctively reaches out with his free arm, and wraps it around Henry's shoulder for stability.

Henry grabs at his waist with his free hand, holding Jasper securely upright. He rolls his tongue on the inside of his cheek, voice smooth, "Do you know I'm in a band?"

"Uh…" Jasper mumbles, not sure how to deal with the fact that Henry is using his signature pickup line on him, "No, you're not."

"True," Henry bites his lip, "But I'm thinking about starting one."

"Did you just try that lame pickup line on Jasper?" Charlotte cringes, lifting herself to her feet, "It never works."

"You don't know that." Henry snaps, glaring at her from the corner of his eye, "It could've worked."

"I know that this sucks," Charlotte sighs, arms crossing, "I can't believe Ray kicked us out like that."

"Is it really so unbelievable?" Jasper asks, shifting away from Henry, "He kicks me out all the time."

Charlotte turns to him, "What?"

"Yeah, what?" Henry adds, pulling Jasper back into his arms, "Why would anyone want to kick you out?"

"Hennn," Jasper shivers, pushing his arm down, "Quit it."

"I can't quit you," Henry sighs, forgetting all his irritation towards Charlotte when he falls into Jasper's chest, "Silly."

Henry nuzzles his cheek into Jasper's sweatshirt, peering past his jaw to get a glimpse of his pretty face. His heart flutters when Jasper pouts his bottom lip, and his cheeks puff out as he strains to push him off.

"Charlotte," Jasper wheezes, throwing his head back, "Help me."

"Alright," She sighs, trying to pry Henry away, "Hands off, handsy."

"Nooo," Henry bites, literally. He's like actually trying to bite her, "My love is stronger than you, woman."

"Whatever, boy." She snaps back, flicking his forehead, "Jasper doesn't want you clinging to him."

Henry steps back. His expression cracks at how Jasper looks at him like he doesn't want him.

"I'm sorry," Henry frowns, dropping his hands, "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

The look of tender desperation in Henry's eyes made Jasper's brain break, and he'd probably listen to her if all his common sense didn't leave his soul the second he turned to meet Henry's gaze.

Henry's features are twisted in such a fragile emotional display of heartache and longing that it seems almost like he might shatter into pieces if Jasper isn't there to hold him together.

"It's fine, I guess." Jasper assures, shrugging, "I love hugs."

Henry's face softens, flushing as Jasper opens his arms to him. His hands are gentle, yet his touch is firm as they embrace.

"Jasper." Charlotte scolds, "What are you doing?"

"Giving my best bud a hug." He rests his chin over Henry's shoulder, "Obviously."

"Whatever," She mumbles, rubbing her temple, "Just remember, these are muffin-induced feelings. He's not exactly able to consent, either. So don't let him push it."

"Yeah," Jasper agrees with guilt, "What are we supposed to do now?"

"Um, Henry's house?" Charlotte suggests, addressing Henry, "Your parents are still gone, right?"

"Yeah, they're gone." Henry answers bitterly, "Just like you should be."

Jasper pulls back slightly, "Woah, dude. Not nice."

"Neither is her interrupting our moment." Henry blows a raspberry in her direction, grumbling as he turns back to Jasper, "I just want to be with you."

"Well…" Jasper hesitates, tilting his head in thought, "I would really like to go to your house."

"Okay," Henry nods against him," Anything for my Jasper."

Charlotte resists the urge to gag, "Okay, good, let's go."

She starts to walk forward but soon stops when she realizes her boys aren't following behind her. Her eye twitches as she glances back again.

"You guys realize you'll have to stop hugging to walk, right?"

"Nuh-uh, we can walk like this." Henry insists, patting Jasper's chest, "Back me up."

"Uh…." Jasper mumbles with one of those forced toothy grins, "I dunno about that."

Henry glares at him, mouth pinching in a pout, "Dude."

"Hold on, don't get pouty." Jasper pleads, surrendering his hands, "I have a better idea."

Henry's gaze softens into curiosity, "Go on…"

Jasper raises a brow, his smile dangling on his lips. "How would you feel about a piggyback ride?"

Henry pulls back, eyes wide, "You mean a walking cuddle, fuck yeah!"

Charlotte drops a hand to her hip, "Are you even strong enough to carry him?"

"Duh, Charlotte," Jasper snorts, turning around to face her, "He weighs like ninety pounds."

Henry huffs from behind him, slightly offended, "I'm a clean one-fifty."

"That's beside the point." Jasper dismisses, "Trust me, I can do it. I've got like non-super strength."

Charlotte deadpans, "So, like… regular strength."

"Yeah," Jasper shrugs, "You can call it that if you wanna be boring-"

A grunt suddenly leaves Jasper's throat when Henry abruptly lunges onto him.

There's no time for Jasper to brace himself for the weight of Henry's body, and he barely manages to catch him. His hands instinctively coil underneath Henry's knees as his legs wrap around his waist.

"Woah," Jasper gasps, hands adjusting as he slides them up to Henry's thighs for a better hold, "I could've used a warning."

"Well, if you were paying attention to me instead of her, you wouldn't need a warning." Henry states, arms loosely locking over Jasper's shoulders, "We should implement the three feet rule."

"Oh my god." Charlotte lets out an exasperated groan, running her hand down her face. Her voice pinches when she turns her crazed gaze to Jasper, "I'm gonna start walking. You better follow me."

"On it like a bonnet." Jasper nods sharply, marching behind her, "Precious cargo on the move."

Henry feels like he's floating; Jasper carries him like he weighs nothing and called him precious cargo. It's enough to make Henry just- swoon.

Henry ducks his head down into the nape of Jasper's neck as he dissolves into a violent fit of a giggle, muffling his laughter against the exposed skin.

Jasper fights the smile creeping up his lips when the sensation of Henry's nose brushes over the back of his neck, making him shutter. His stride staggers partly because of the tickling touch and partially because Henry has started sniffing him.

Jasper makes a weird sound, an awkward mix between a snort and squeak, as he shifts his head away, "Why are you sniffing me?"

"Cuz, you smell nice." Henry answers, lifting his chin over Jasper's shoulder, "Did you use my shampoo?"

"Uh huh," Jasper hums, voice nearly cracking when Henry's thumb slides past the collar of his hoodie and into his shirt," I- I liked the honey scent."

"It's not honey," Henry corrects softly, one arm tightening around Jasper's chest as the other reaches up. His hand finds its way through Jasper's wavy locks. "It's sweet alyssum."

"Really?" Jasper asks, "What's that?"

"It's a flower." Henry continues, twirling a strand around his finger, "If you want to get technical, it's called Lobularia Maritima."

"Wow," Charlotte interjects, genuinely impressed, "Those are some big words for you, Hen."

"I went to flower camp. I know my flowers." Henry states defensively, swaying his feet back and forth, "Which is cool, okay? Flowers are cool!"

"I like flowers too," Jasper assures, leaning back against Henry's shoulder as he glances toward him, "I also like that you like them."

Henry's stomach spins when Jasper meets his eyes, the sunrise reflecting in his royal blue gaze. It's as if the light seems to shine solely for him; its beams reserved for his beauty.

Jasper must be the prettiest person alive.

Henry thinks he looks simply angelic against the backdrop of the golden cloud. His pale skin almost glows under the warm dancing hues in the sky, the color illuminating the damp strands of dirty blonde hair like a halo above his head, dragging over his every feature as if it were a brush of paint in a work of art.

"Ya know, I'll never get tired of looking at you," Henry swears in a whisper, his fingers raking through Jasper's bangs, "You're really pretty."

Jasper blinks breath, hitching as he freezes. The only movement over his body is the red flushing over his face before he chooses to ignore that part of his brain that tells him it reminds him it's not real and lets himself smile.

"Woooow," Jasper teases, shaking his head in dramatic disappointment, "You just now noticed?"

"No." Henry answers honestly, "It's just my first time saying it."

Jasper giggles for a moment, nose scrunching as his blush deepens. He knows it's wrong to let Henry's words get to him- but he really likes the feeling of being liked.

"Tell me more about your flowers." Jasper requests, swiftly changing the subject, "What's your favorite?"

"It's the sword lily," Henry states, dropping his arm back around Jasper's shoulder, "It's just so badass, dude. It looks like a flower-sword, that's sick. It's also called a gladious, like gladiators." He rambles, snuggling him tighter, "It's like thee flower for heroes."

"That explains why you like it, Kid Danger." Jasper chides, carefully stepping off the sidewalk's curb, "What do they look like?"

"They're colorful, bright, and beautiful." Henry exclaims, tracing his thumb over Jasper's collarbone, "Like you."

Jasper smiles even wider, a soft snort slipping from him as he crosses the street, "Thank you."

"Yeah." Henry beams and slides his head down Jasper's arm, adjusting his face to get a better look at him, "Do you have a favorite flower?"

"Yup." Jasper answers, glancing down to meet Henry's eye, "I like wishies."

"Wishies?" Both Charlotte and Henry ask in confused unison.

"Ya know," Jasper insists, emphasizing the word louder, "Wishies! The fluffy ones that you make wishes on."

Charlotte snickers softly, "I think you mean dandelions."

"Yeah, those. I used to think they were magical." Jasper admits, turning onto Henry's street, "They grow in my backyard, and when I was little, I'd spend hours outside picking them." He smiles, pretending it's a fond memory, "I believed that if I just wished hard enough, I could make all my dreams come true."

"Awwe, you were such a cute kid." Henry coos, "What did you wish for?"

"Nope." Jasper shakes his head smugly, "I can't tell you that."

Henry puffs up his cheeks, pouting as he turns his face away, "Why?"

"Cause," Jasper smirks, approaching the Hart house, "I'm still waiting for them to come true."

"In that case," Henry returns, "I hope you get everything you've ever wished for."

"Yeah," Jasper agrees, following Charlotte to the porch, "Me too."

Henry's view rises when Jasper makes his way up the steps, allowing him to peer into his neighbor's garden. His eyes light up when he spots the blooming carnations.

"Yo, hotstuff," Henry calls, tapping his arm, "Let me down."

"Oh? Uh, sure…" Jasper murmurs. Henry's willingness to get down is shocking; he assumed it would take much more effort to pry him off his back. "I'm surprised you want off."

"I don't really." Henry admits as Jasper kneels, guiding his feet to the floor before he uncoils his arms, "I just want something else more."

Jasper doesn't get to ask him what that is before Henry takes off. There's a mutual sound of panic between him and Charlotte as he leaps over the railing, booking it towards Ms. Hendricks's yard, and scales the fence.

Jasper rises, leaning over the porch, "What are you doing?!"

Charlotte's head tilts, "I think he's…. picking flowers?"

Jasper's pupils narrow as he peers down into the garden. She's right; Henry is picking flowers. In fact, he's picking all of them.

Once he's plucked his neighbor's bushes clean, he glances back up to them with this look of pride, waving his hands in the air, each fist filled with stolen stems and blooming buds.

"Jasper, look! Look!" Henry yells, jumping up and down, "I got you flowers!"

"Oh my god!?" A sharp voice calls behind him, "Get away from my plants!"

Henry's eyes widened, scrambling in a panic as Ms. Hendricks reveals herself. She stands there, wielding her hose like a weapon as she unleashes an assault of cold tap water.

He immediately runs, the water pelting him in the back as he books it back over the fence. His flannel catches on the wood as he throws himself over it, keeping him from landing on the other side.

His feet hang above the ground as he wiggles around, trying to maneuver himself free. Using his arms to free himself would be easier, but he's too determined to keep the flowers in his clutches.

Yet he squirms just enough to rip the fabric. After he drops most of his flannel, it still hangs on the fence post, blowing in the wind above him.

The water abruptly shuts off, and Ms. Hendricks spews a string of swears before she retreats back into her house.

"Wow…" Charlotte nods, clapping slowly, "Way to go, Romeo."

"Thanks," Henry says as he rises to his feet, still smiling as he skips over to the porch, "If I'm Romeo, that means Jasper's my Juliet."

"I'm no geography expert," Jasper states, frowning, "but don't they both die?"

"That's okay," Henry assures, lifting the flowers up to him, "I'd die for you."

Jasper snorts as he leans farther down, "I'd rather you live for me."

Henry's touch lingers, his cold fingers moving over his warm skin as the flowers pass between their hands, his pinky curling around Jaspers.

"I can do that," He promises, "but you have to live for me too."

Jasper pulls away, affection in his eyes as they roll. Henry looks ridiculous right now, with dirt smeared over his cheek and messy hair sticking out in the most adorably weird ways.

That flannel he's wearing is ripped beyond repair and is torn of everything but his sleeves. The remaining undershirt is soaked, making the white fabric see-through as it sticks to his skin.

Jasper thinks he looks like he fought a bear even though the only thing he fought was Ms. Hendricks's garden hose. Still, Henry did it for Jasper… because he loves him. That should be something special… Too bad it isn't.

"Enough," Charlotte sighs as she leans against the railing beside Jasper. Her hand falling over his shoulder, "I can't tell if you guys are being insufferably cute or cheesy."

"First of all, I'm always cute." Henry scoffs, climbing up the porch, legs swinging over the railing, "Second of all, Jasper's even cuter."

"Cuter isn't a word." Charlotte states, rolling her eyes, "It's made up."

"So is literally every other word, Charlotte," Henry argues, shoving her hand off Jasper, "He's mine."

"Henry, be nice." Jasper scolds again, reeling his hands back and pulling the flowers up to his chest, "Let's just get along and go inside and- and- acho!"

Jasper suddenly sneezes, throat tingling as he peers down to the dozens of carnations in his grasp…. He's allergic to carnations.

Charlotte starts to ask, "Are those ca-"

"No," Jasper cuts her off, lying, "They're not."

Charlotte pinches her face in disbelief, but he forces a teeth-baring smile. Jasper can handle a little sore throat and sneezing. It's easier than breaking Henry's heart and telling him he's allergic to these flowers.

"They're carnations," Henry confirms, jumping in between them, "They symbolize devotion, love, and fascination."

"Fitting," Charlotte chides under her breath, "Hen, how about you find a nice vase for Jasper to put these in?"

"I have a better idea!" Henry declares, snatching the flowers back before bolting inside his house, "This is gonna make you even cuter-er."

Charlotte grabs Jasper's arm, pulling them in after Henry, "Best not leave Romeo alone, right loverboy?"

Jasper looks up to Charlotte with a sour expression, mouth opening to speak only to be interrupted by another sneeze and another, then three more after that.

"Don't look over here," Henry yells, hiding behind the island counter, "I want it to be a surprise."

Charlotte ignores him and goes to investigate while Jasper zones in on a box of tissues sitting on Henry's coffee table. Unable to hear the murmuring between his best friends as he begins blowing his nose.

Charlotte says, "I don't think Jasper would like that."

"Shows what you know," Henry snaps, "He'll love it."

Jasper snatches a handful of tissues, his throat burning slightly as he plops onto the couch and questions, "Char, what's he doing?"

Charlotte starts, "He's making a-"

"A suprissssse" Henry hisses, cutting her off obnoxiously, "So zip it."

"He's one of my best friends," Charlotte reminds herself quietly as she removes herself from the kitchen, "I love him. I'm not gonna kill him. Maim him? Maybe."

"I don't get it." Jasper admits, blowing his nose, "Tell me why Gwen would use tainted muffins to make Ray fall in love with him."

"Think about it," She says, pacing in front of him, "If Captain Man and Kid Danger are so in love that they can't fight crime, then they can't stop Gwen from doing whatever evil things she wants to do."

"Makes sense," Jasper nods, "Then I think we need to figure out…"

Jasper's voice trails off when he feels the soft touch of something being placed over his head. He's careful not to move as he raises his gaze, watching the slightest movements of Henry's hands hovering above his sight, delicately securing the…

"Oh my god!" Jasper exclaims, excitedly squealing, "Did you make me a flower crown?"

"Yeah!" Henry says with the same energy, placing his hands over Jasper's shoulders and leaning over the couch to face him, "Do you like it?"

Jasper's nose crinkles as he shakes joyfully, drumming his palms over his thighs, "This is the coolest thing ever!"

Charlotte seemed less impressed, but Henry looks entirely too smug. He leaps over to the couch's armrest, sitting close enough to Jasper that his leg hangs over his lap slightly.

Henry starts massaging Jasper's shoulders, victory in his voice, "And Charlotte said you wouldn't like it."

"Wh-hehe- what?" Jasper giggles, eyes fluttering at the feeling of Henry's fingers kneading into his skin, "Why wouldn't I like it?"

She blinks at him, deadpanning, "Think it through…"

Jasper frowns. He's pondering what he could have missed when a familiar pressure builds up in his forehead, making him instantly sneeze into the bundle of tissues he had in his grasp.

Unfortunately, he's still allergic to carnations… even in crown form.

"Oh," Jasper snaps in her direction, "I get it now."

"Get what?" Henry asks, dropping his hands to pull out his phone, "How cute you look?"

With full flash, Henry starts snapping pictures. Catching the exact moment, Jasper sneezes again. His lips are pursed weirdly, eyes squinting, nose hidden by a tissue. Henry takes another one.

Jasper's eyes grow wide this time, hand dropping out of frame. For a second, there's this look of confusion on his face, but then he realizes what Henry is doing and grins almost as brightly as the beam of light shuttering from the camera.

Henry throws an arm around Jasper's neck, creating a deep pink flush that spreads over his skin when Henry cups his face and kisses his cheek.

Then he snaps that final photo, and his smile spreads against Jasper when he feels the subtlest of stubble pressed against his lips.

"Easy, paparazzi," Jasper says, turning his face away as he sneezes again, "You're blinding me."

"I made this one my screen saver! So I can look at you forever." He states, "Of course, it's not as nice as the real thing."

"Alright, enough." Charlotte interjects, heading towards the stairs, "I'm gonna go to the bathroom-"

Jasper drops his tissues and extends his arm over the couch when he glances at her, "Why?"

She deadpans, "Because I'm a human who drinks fluids."

"Alright," Jasper shrugs nonchalantly, waving her off, "Hope everything comes out okay."

"Now, why would you even say something like that?" She starts to ask before shaking her head and running up the stairs, "Never mind, don't care, I gotta go."

Henry physically drew Jasper's attention back with a slight nudge, sighing dramatically when their gazes met again.

Jasper raises a brow, "What's the matter?"

"I- I'm just so cold," He says, 'shivering,' "Maybe there is something you could do to warm me up?"

Jasper ponders for a minute before ultimately grasping the top of his hoodie. He carefully guides it over his head to not damage the flower crown.

The fabric slightly clings to his undershirt, exposing his abdomen to the air as Jasper pulls it off. He tosses the sweatshirt towards Henry, who barely catches it as it lands against his chest.

"Here," Jasper offers, "warm up."

"Uh huh," Henry nods absentmindedly, tilting his gaze, "I was aiming at a hug, but- this looks nice."

"Looks?" Jasper murmurs in uncertainty, "What?"

Henry smirks knowingly. "Happy trails are so hot."

The realization makes goosebumps rise over Jasper's skin when he follows the line of Henry's sight down to his showing stomach.

"I bet your downstairs hair is naturally curly," Henry guesses, scrunching his nose suggestively, "Right?"

"Maybe," Jasper answers, running his tongue over his teeth and smirking to himself as he tugs his shirt back down, "But you'll never be lucky enough to find out."

Henry tilts his head, "Is that a challenge, Honey Bucket?"

"Ay, Honey Bucket is my thing." Jasper calls out, "You can't use it."

"Oh?" Henry hums, "Are you gonna make me stop?"

"Yeah, yeah," Jasper sighs, rolling his eyes, "Just put the sweatshirt on you, big flirt."

Jasper is a few shirt sizes larger than Henry, but he also prefers to wear sweatshirts a size bigger for comfort anyway, making his hoodie extra baggy for him.

Henry discards the remaining bits of his flannel before sliding himself into the hoodie, melting into its warmth. He lifts the collar to his nose, his stomach fluttering, the scent of Jasper seeping into its fabric.

Yeah, he's never taking this off.

"Sooo," Henry calls, winking, "Is this seat taken?"

Jasper drops his arms, confused as he glances around at all the empty spaces, "No?"

"Sweet."

Jasper lets out a sharp, panicked squeak when Henry slides into his lap. He freezes as his knees fall on either side of his waist, hands slamming into the back of the couch by his face.

Henry's arms prop him up as he hovers over Jasper. An unsettling hunger flashes in his gaze, his pupils dilating as he stares down.

Jasper sinks as far back into the cushion as he can, squirming under Henry as he hovers over him, eyes narrowing in anticipation, scrutinizing Jasper's every move, every little change in the muscles of his reddening features.

"And… you in my lap." Jasper states, "I didn't realize I was considered a seat."

"I can sit on something else if you want?"

"oH wow," Jasper breathes," You actually just said that."

This scenario is startlingly close to Jasper's wet dreams; he contemplates pinching himself when Henry suddenly grinds down.

Jasper feels lightheaded at the rush of arousal in his blood and shame boiling through his veins. The friction immediately makes him flinch, and his dick twitch.

"I want to kiss you." Henry states, hand reaching out to cup Jasper's jaw, "Can I kiss you?"

Jasper blinks nervously, wanting to say yes but knowing the answer is no. He hesitates to find the words, but Henry takes his pause as permission, and he starts to lean in.

Henry's movements were slow enough for Jasper to pull away if he needed to, but he didn't- at least, not right away.

"N-no." Jasper stammers, their lips nearly meeting before he turns his face away, "Get off me."

"Awe," Henry frowns, leaning back, "But why not- oh."

Henry feels it.

Jasper's cheeks turn the darkest shade of pink possible, followed by a panic in his eyes and a plea in his voice, "Hen, seriously, get off me."

"Jasp, It's okay. It's totally natural." Henry starts talking, but Jasper doesn't comprehend a word he is saying past the ringing in his ears, "The same thing happened to me. I had such a raging boner when I saw you shower-"

Jasper doesn't hear what he's saying, but it doesn't really matter because he asked Henry to get off, and he didn't listen to him either.

He pushes him off, exhaling the second Henry falls to the floor. He pushes his hand back through his bangs as he tries to calm himself down- literally.

Jasper squeaks again when he spots Henry shamelessly kneeling in front of him, hand over his leg. His face rises to catch Jasper's irritated glance with a lewd look as he slides his palm up.

"I can help you deal with it if you want."

"Ah!" Jasper shrieks, grasping his wrist, "Stooop!"

Henry retracts his arm, "Too far?"

"Way too far," Jasper answers as he grasps a decor pillow and covers his crotch, "You are soo bad." Jasper croaks, pouting, "BAD- bad Henry."

"Sorry," Henry frowns, "You have a little- above average- relatively large problem. I was just trying to help."

"Nooo!" Jasper screams again, scooting back on the couch, "Nice try, buddy. Great effort, but I'm not your type."

"I'm the second horniest person in Swellview," Henry reminds him, "My type is hot people."

"Okay." Jasper strains, nostrils flaring, "But, remember who you actually found hot before this muffin madness. Your girlfriend, Bianca, not me."

"She's hot too," Henry acknowledges, rising to his feet, "But you're hotter."

"You had this whole place decked out for her just last night- candles, flowers, chocolate-covered strawberries-" Jasper stammers, gesturing out, "The whole sha-bang."

"Pff, I'm horny, not corny. I'd never do all that for her." Henry snorts, "I don't even like her that much. I told her to leave because I couldn't stop thinking about you."

Jasper shakes his head, breath hitching as he curls his gaze away. "That's not true."

"Yes, it is," Henry swears, moving towards Jasper, "I danced in the rain with you. Do you even realize how romantic that is?" He asks, lowering his face to catch his best friend's distant stare, "I would never do that with anyone else."

Jasper's breath shakes, "I know you think that this is real, but it's not. "

"I remember spending the whole night not wanting to look away from you." Henry continues anyway, tone firm in defiance, "I want to give you anything, everything- my time, my attention, my affection, all of it.."

Those words spilling from Henry's mouth bring a hollow familiarity as if they somehow echo Jasper's feelings.

At the moment, he can't help but imagine their whole lives together. It's just so easy for Jasper to get lost in that dream.

A dream he can't have.

"This is stupid," Jasper insists, used to only saying these things to himself. "You don't- you can't- you will never love me like this." He says harshly, "You're stupid to think we could be anything but friends."

"Why?" Henry demands, voice raising, "Because you don't like me, or you don't believe that I love you? "

"You don't love me in this way." Jasper snaps, his knuckles white as he clutches the pillow in his lap tightly, "You're only saying this stuff because you ate that muffin."

"You're right; before I ate that thing, I was terrified by the slightest possibility of this. I like girls- or I should- but when I'm with you, everything feels right."

Silence hangs in the air as Henry reaches out, lifting Jasper's chin with one hand and brushes the bangs out of his face with the other.

Jasper feels pressure in his chest, his heart racing against his rib cage when Henry looks at him with an expression he can only describe as love and touches him like he's worth the world.

Henry murmurs, "I love you."

Jasper wishes he could believe him.

"I want to be the face you see when you close your eyes; I want to be the touch you need every single night," Henry recites awkwardly as if he's trying to impress him somehow, "I want to be your fantasy and be your reality and everything between."

Jasper blinks up at Henry, letting out a soft chuckle, "Are you singing Celine Dion to me right now?"

"Maybe…" Henry grumbles, pouting in irritation, "I'm trying to be romantic."

"Pfff," Jasper giggles, letting out a string of water laughter, "You're actually serenading me with Celine Dion."

"Yeah, okay, sure." Henry drops his hands, glaring, "I don't sound as good as you do, but you don't have to be rude about it."

Jasper can't help the way his grin spreads, "Wait, what happened to being horny, not corny?"

"I was- I was trying to make an exception- dude, stop laughing- if you'd just- Jasper- Jasper, just listen," Henry demands, lowering his voice in that goofy way he does when he's hoping to sound more serious, "Just listen to me!"

Jasper has to clasp a hand over his mouth to try and muffle the sounds of loose, watery giggles, his entire body vibrating uncontrollably.

Henry's chest rises in a display of failed dominance, which Jasper finds increasingly hilarious.

"I love you!" Henry shouts, nostrils flaring, "Don't treat that like it's nothing!"

Jasper thinks it's funny because it's true. Henry feels nothing romantic for him. He'd rather acknowledge the humor in that than the hurt.

So he doesn't stop laughing, even as tears streak down his cheeks. Jasper's breath gets shorter, and breaths get shorter and shorter, and the tears keep falling faster.

"Why are you guys yelling," Charlotte calls from upstairs, "I can hear you all the way in the bathroom."

"Because- because Charlotte!" Henry huffs, stomping around the couch, "He's- He's being rude and pissing me off."

"What?" She questions, going down the steps, "Why are you laughing- and crying?"

Jasper wheezes between heavy breaths, mouth opening and closing as he tries to form a coherent string of words to respond to her, but he can't get out anything other than his giggling.

"He- h- e- he- sang... Celine Dion at me!" Jasper hyperventilates, wiping the tears from his eyes, "I have to laugh. How am I supposed to respond?"

"I dunno!" Henry yells, suggesting with full sincerity, "With marriage."

Jasper wheezes, crying harder as he chokes out his next roll of wet giggles, "A-are you trying to propose to me right now?"

Henry's cheeks had turned the darkest shade of pink possible, "Yes!"

Charlotte catches Jasper's water gaze, her features soft and sympathetic when she meets his eyes.

"Dude, no." Jasper forces a smile, stomach aching from how hard he is still laughing, "This is a terrible proposal. You don't even have a trampoline or a ring-"

"I can't believe you're laughing at me." Henry's voice strains, his pitch rises even louder, "I basically just told you I wanted to spend the rest of our lives together, and It's like you don't even care!" He shouts, getting increasingly agitated, "I- I love you, and here you are kicking me in the heart, treating my feelings like a joke- !"

Henry suddenly clutches his chest, a look of panic flashing through his eyes when all the muscles in his body become rigid.

The features on Henry's face start to twist, his legs collapse underneath him, and his body seizes the second he hits the floor.

"Henry!" Charlotte calls, rushing to his side. Henry stills under her touch, her hands gentle as she grasps his shoulder, "Are you okay?!"

"Uh… yeah," Henry murmurs in confusion, letting Charlotte pull him up, "Yeah, I think so."

What just happened? He doesn't even remember falling. He squeezes his eyes shut and rubs his temple. Damn, his head fucking hurts.

He squints his eyes open a couple of seconds later, scanning the area as he tries to make sense of his surroundings.

Henry's gaze stops when his sight falls on Jasper, leaning over the couch, watching him with a look of concern.

"Oh hey," He reaches out; they were just talking, right? "Jasper-"

"Uh," Jasper cuts him off by raising his hand, "No- no more coming onto me, please."

"Coming onto you?" Henry recoils, "Ew."

There it is, all of today broken down into a singular 'ew,' and it hurt just as much as Jasper figured it was going to.

"Ewww?" Charlotte asks, face lighting up, "Wait, aren't you in love with Jasper anymore?"

"In love with- what?!" Henry croaks. Why the fuck would they think that? "No! no."

"Okay," Charlotte nods, "Okay, this is awesome."

"What is?" Jasper whines, adjusting his pillow, "How come doesn't Henry love me anymore?"

Jasper didn't mean for the question to sound that pathetic, but it was the only tone shift he could manage to make at the moment to mask his emotions, earning a disgusted look from Henry.

"I think- when you mocked his uh- offer," Charlotte explains, "It made Henry feel really angry."

Henry asks, annoyed, "So?"

"So," Charlotte continues, "When you feel strong emotions, your body releases chemicals into your brain."

"Oh," Jasper nods, falling back down to his spot on the couch, "Okay, so like when Henry felt anger, it drove out his feelings of love."

"Yeah," Charlotte answers, "I think that's what happened."

"Okay, okay," Henry puts together, "So now all I gotta do is make Ray, like, insanely mad, so he'll fall outta love with Gwen."

"Yeah, but–" Charlotte starts, "How are you gonna get him mad enough?"

Jasper interjects, grasping another handful of tissue, "You could pick a fight with him!"

Henry points down to Jasper proudly, "Yes."

"Oh, 'C'mon, Ray could kill you!" Charlotte argues, "You can't pick a fight with Ray."

"Well," Henry raises his arm, "One of us is gonna have to do it."

Jasper and Charlotte raise their hands in unison, both declaring, "Not it!"

"Yup, that's what I figured you guys would say." Henry shrugs, clapping, "C'mon, lets go."

"Uh…" Jasper murmurs, blowing his nose, "You guys can go ahead without me."

"No." Henry demands, puzzled, "Just come with us."

Jasper tosses the bundled snot tissues to the coffee table, "Nah, you don't really need me to come anyway..."

"But," Henry frowns, "I want you to come."

"Fine," Jasper stands up, continuing to hold the pillow in place over his crotch, "I'm taking this with me then."

Henry tilts his head, "Why would you- oh."

Through a vague fog of images, a resurfacing memory emerges. Nooo. He- he Jasper a boner…

Jasper mimics in frustration, "Yeah, oh."

Henry averts his gaze, stomach twisting in knots, knowing he would've given Jasper more if he had let him.

"Oh?" Charlotte repeats, "I don't get it."

"I have a little- above average- relatively large problem." Jasper explains, hoping to seem unphased, "But it's just a little friction, right, Hen?"

"Yup, yup." Henry forces himself to nod, hand spinning in the air, "It's a natural body reaction."

Charlotte cringes in realization, "Oh, gross."

"Hey, don't look at me like that." Jasper huffs, cheeks tinting pink in embarrassment, "If Mister Gropy kept his grubby hands to himself, I wouldn't have this problem."

"I was drugged!" Henry looks back, scoffing, "If anything, it's your fault for activating it with you-" He pauses to make air quotes aggressively, "-'mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.'"

"Okay," Jasper mocks, pitching his voice in irritation, "Next time I think you've stopped breathing, I'm gonna just let you die."

"Guys," Charlotte interjects, "This is reductive-"

"Jasper's the one who started it," Henry snaps defensively, crossing his arms, "He put his lips on my lips first. So, it's his fault."

"No, what I did was I performed a medical procedure." Jasper argues, "What you did was stick your tongue down my throat. That's assault, buckaroo."

"You wanna see assault?" Henry threatens, taking a step forward, "I can show you assault."

"Awe," Jasper pouts, tilting his head obnoxiously, "It looks like somebody is still trying to flirt with me."

Henry's eye twitches, his chest and cheeks puffing out, both turning red as he suddenly lunges over the couch, throwing his elbow hooking around Jasper's neck before body slamming him back into the cushions.

"You're gonna squish my flower crown." Jasper gasps, hands desperately grasping at Henry's arm as he tries to pry him off, "Seriously, why are you being such a mad-man!"

"Cuz," Henry spits stubbornly, "You can't spell Kid Danger without anger!"

"Oh yea," Jasper scoffs, scooting back, "Well, you can't spell dweeb without eeb!"

"What does that even mean?!"

"I don't know!" Jasper squirms, swallowing against Henry's arm as their legs entangle in the struggle, bodies pressed together, "Get off me."

A panic shivers through both of them when Henry feels the hard reminder of Jasper's little- above average- relatively large problem underneath him.

"No," Henry argues impulsively, "Not until you admit I'm right."

Jasper refuses and manages to maneuver himself down just enough to slip Henry's headlock, flipping them over when free.

Henry takes a sharp breath when he's suddenly at the bottom. Jasper's knees trap his waist as he scrambles for leverage.

Henry pushes back against Jasper's chest before his hands are caught, fingers folding into Jasper's as they are pinned down above his head.

Henry's lips part in frustration, an exasperated whine escaping from the back of his chest as the shame boils in his blood and a downward rush of arousal bubbles in his stomach.

No… no. Fuck- no. Henry can't. He- he just... can't. What kind of straight guy gets turned on after being dominated by another dude?

None.

Which is why Henry won't let himself be weak enough to like whatever this is, but somehow Jasper makes it so hard not to.

"You can't pick a fight with a crime fighter and-" Henry's words stumble, "a-and expect to win."

Jasper adds more pressure to his hands, thighs tightening around him, not budging in the slightest when Henry desperately struggles below him, trying to pry himself hands-free.

"...Or maybe you can."

Henry glares breathlessly, panting in defeat. Since when did Jasper get so strong, and why the fuck is it turning him on more? He's gonna get the same little- above average- relatively large problem as Jasper if he doesn't get him off.

Jasper has the audacity to look smug. His flower crown hangs loosely over his hair as he tilts his head, breathing heavily above him.

"I've been Schwozer-cising," Jasper answers Henry's unspoken question. "You really should join Charlotte and me next time."

"Noted." Henry gulps, avoiding Jasper's gaze, "Sooo… You wanna maybe, perhaps- possibly get the fuck off me?"

"No," Jasper mimics, "Not until you admit I'm right."

"You couldn't be more wrong." Henry snaps harshly, "If I had a choice in any of this, you'd be the last person I'd choose to fall in love with!"

Jasper numbly nods. He already knew that; he just didn't think Henry was mean enough to say it.

The thing is, Henry didn't know he was mean enough to say it either until it slipped out, and the regret washed over him.

The hardness between Jasper's legs is immediately replaced by a hardness in his heart, like an insensible pain. It stings with every new stuttering beat like a static burning in his chest, shattering that carefully crafted composure.

Henry's gaze rakes over Jasper's face, watching the hurt carve over his features. The guilt sinks to his stomach, followed by the wave of goosebumps rising over his skin when Jasper's fingers loosen over his, nimbly sliding apart as he gets up.

A hollow part of Henry craves the weight of Jasper's body, wanting to chase his warmth when it leaves him.

Reasonably, Henry knows he doesn't deserve it. He's just waiting for Jasper to figure that out, too.

"Hen," Jasper calls quietly, "Can I ask you a question?"

Henry slowly stands up beside him, "Um…"

Jasper needs to fill this sudden awkward silence; the only way to do that is to pretend it doesn't bother him.

He smiles, "What do you see when a duck bends over?"

Henry blinks, "Huh?"

"It's butt quack!" Jasper answers enthusiastically, arms wide, "Do you get it? Cause ducks quack, and- and quack sounds like crack, and um, ducks also have butts, so-"

"Yeah, no," Henry nods, confused, "I got it."

"Oh good." Jasper says, forcing his voice to be chipper, "Wanna hear another one? I've memorized a lot of duck puns."

Henry frowns; for the first time in their friendship, he's not comforted by Jasper's smile. Usually, he'd see that adorable sideways grin and know everything is okay, but not this time.

"Wait- what am I thinking? Jeez, I'm so silly." Jasper laughs, thumbing his head, "We can't be wasting so much time on puns when we should probably be saving Ray right now."

Henry tenses as Jasper meets his gaze again; it's like he's looking right at him and also right through him. There's a blinding tension between them.

"I just think we should go help Ray right now." Jasper insists again, "He must be miserable loving someone he doesn't want to love."

"I mean…." Henry says hesitantly, "He does need help."

"Great," Jasper cuts him off, nudging his side, "I'll race you there."

Henry doesn't even get a chance to process the challenge before Jasper bolts out the door.

"Wow," Charlotte mumbles from behind him. "That was so hard to watch."

Henry jumps back, letting out a loud, startled shriek when she speaks, "Oh fuck, I forgot you were here."

Obviously.

"Yeah, I could tell." She states, slowly approaching the door, "You shouldn't have been so harsh. We both know how much he likes you."

Henry clenches his jaw, "Even if he's 'hypothetically' into me, that doesn't mean I have to like him back."

"Ya know," Charlotte sighs softly, hand pushing off the doorframe as she exits, "He never asked you to."