Chapter Text
Andrew exhaled shakily, hesitating as his finger hovered over the send button. He knew Jayden was up. He always was. How that man even functioned with that little sleep was fascinating. Jayden was up, and that meant he could talk to him. He could set this plan into action. But Andrew would need the green-light, and that decision wasn’t up to him. His world spiraled at the mere thought of it.
What if Jayden said no? What if he just straight up ignored him? What if he was miraculously asleep and Andrew had to wait until morning for an answer? He was always an over-thinker. Jayden said he needed to loosen up a little. He tried to keep that in mind as he inhaled, finally making contact with the cool screen in his hand.
Sunflower 🌻
You up?
Jayden almost flinched at the sudden notification. He threw down his sketchbook, snatched his phone, and opened his messages with world-record speed. Andrew was not a night owl. Not in the slightest. To have him available this late in the night was both a blessing and a curse. If Andrew was up, that meant he was either A, indulging in a new fixation, or B, spiraling into the next plane of existence. Jayden hoped it wasn’t the latter as he responded.
My Jaide
Yea what’s up
A few solid seconds passed before Andrew mustered up the courage to ask what had been eating away at him for days.
Sunflower 🌻
Wanna hang out tmr?
Jayden had to suppress a laugh as the anxiety in his chest began to fade. Andrew was okay, he was just being stupid. Jayden couldn’t help but smile at his troubled friend.
My Jaide
Tmrs Valentine’s Day ???
Sunflower 🌻
I’m well aware
Andrew could practically feel Jayden snort behind the screen at his response. He rolled his eyes, masking the sharp pain that hit him like a dagger. Jayden was probably laughing at Andrew for being a serial over-thinker, not knowing the true reason behind it. Jayden was oblivious, but for him, Andrew could wait a little longer.
My Jaide
Where r u gna take me?
Sunflower 🌻
Surprise ;)
My Jaide
Booooooooooooo
Sunflower 🌻
Shut up
Classic tsundere. Jayden giggled into the palm of his hand and beamed as he indulged in his friend’s playful banter.
My Jaide
So mean >:[
Sunflower 🌻
:p Just be sure to wake up before 9, okay?
Jayden groaned loud enough for the world to hear.
My Jaide
THATS SO EARY TO YOU WANT TI KILL ME?!?
Sunflower 🌻
Just be up by 9:30
He sighed. He could do that. For Andrew, at least. The mental image of Andrew sat propped in bed, glasses hanging low on his nose, hair messy and eyes droopy could drive him to the end of the earth.
My Jaide
Whateverrrrteststshsshha
Andrew scoffed. Such a dork.
Sunflower 🌻
Goodnight, weirdo
Jaide smiled into his pillow, suddenly drowsy. He let the warm feeling in his chest lull him to sleep as he sent his final message.
My Jaide
Gn loser
…
8:30 am. Jayden had kept his silent promise, pushing himself out of bed and dragging his feet to the bathroom. He had an hour, maybe, to get ready. For anyone else that would have been more than enough, but for Jayden- one hour was more like 20 minutes. Still, he persevered. He went through his routine like clockwork, more machine than human. He was rudely interrupted, however, when a single message popped up on his lock-screen:
Sunflower 🌻
Are you awake yet?
Jayden’s fatigue immediately vanished at the thought of Andrew. A subconscious smile played at his lips as he abandoned his previous task.
My Jaide
I’m up dw
Sunflower 🌻
Good. Be sure to bring a jacket or something, it’s cold out.
Jayden rolled his eyes, the mirror reflecting his playful expression.
My Jaide
Will do, mom
Sunflower 🌻
Don’t talk back to me like that young man
Jayden let out a quick bark of laughter at his friend’s stupid response.
My Jaide
Oh my god you’re so weird I hate you
Sunflower 🌻
Good morning to you too ❤️
Jayden sighed. It had been a while since he had actually seen his best friend, and he was already playing out the day’s events in his mind.
A walk in the cool breeze, window shopping, the cafe, the ice rink, maybe? He had so many ideas and so little time with Andrew that he couldn’t help but feel depressed thinking about it. He wished he could spend forever with him, be with him, stand by him- be-
…huh.
Jayden paused in front of his closet, his hands now still among his racks of clothes.
Do I?…
His pocket buzzed.
Sunflower 🌻
You should probably get going now, I know how fast you can lose track of time :p
Jayden’s eyes shot up at Andrew’s hyper-specific observation. His previous thought had been completely forgotten, question now settling in the back of his mind. A new one had began to surface in its place: had Andrew always payed this close attention to him? Or was he genuinely bugging from the exhaustion? He was honestly too tired to care. All he knew was that Andrew was waiting for him, and that was all that mattered.
…
Jayden was just about done when yet another notification rang from his phone.
Sunflower 🌻
Ready?
Jayden blinked, staring at the message for a moment before realizing the implications.
My Jaide
Andrew istg if you are outside my apartment right now
Sunflower 🌻
;)
Jayden almost tripped and ate shit twice before he reached the door. The second he did, he flung it open, scanning every possible corner for his dearest friend. He heard him long before he saw him.
The whiplash that hit Andrew was faster than anything he could have ever expected; he screamed at an inhuman pitch, lifespan being lessened by at least a year. He grasped his shirt and doubled over as he panted.
“JESUS, JAYDEN!!! You scared the shit out of me!!!”
Andrew was adorned with an elegant yet comfortable attire: his usual golden-framed glasses, a plain long-sleeved undershirt with a sweater vest atop it, a woolen scarf, (gifted to him by Jayden), a heavy yet stylish jacket, comfortable khaki pants, and practical footwear. The cold had already dusted his cheeks with a rosy tint, the color a warm contrast to Andrew’s pale skin. Jayden was captivated immediately. He stood practically frozen before Andrew, just staring in awe.
“Uh… Jaide?… you good?…”
Jayden quickly snapped out of his trance, blushing slightly.
“Yeah! Yeah I-I’m good…”
He gave Andrew a shy simper, his dimples indenting his delicate skin. It took all of Andrew’s willpower to not melt on the spot. He stuttered.
“Uh-well-“ Andrew returned a quick smile. “You ready to go?”
Jayden nodded, turning to lock the door behind him. He snapped his head around, though, when he heard his friend let out a quiet giggle.
“What? What’s so funny?”
Andrew waltzed up to Jayden and dusted some snow off his shoulder. He gave him an affectionate smile, his eyes crinkling and his glasses pushing further up his face.
“You forgot your jacket, Jaide.”
Jayden rolled his eyes and turned his gaze back to the door, blushing in embarrassment.
“Shut up.”
Andrew laughed and tucked a strand of hair away from Jayden’s face.
“Just don’t want you to catch a cold, that’s all.”
Jayden froze at the touch before quickly turning away and running inside to find his jacket. When he returned, Andrew was still standing there waiting for him. They both shared a quick glance, smiled, and went on their way.