Patton sat on the city bus the letting the morning rays of sunlight warm his face through the glass. He thought back to last night when he'd ran to Logan's completely on a whim. He felt a little embarrassed thinking about how he kind of just showed up crying on his doorstep, but then he remembered the time after.

/Le flashback/

"You should have at least brought an umbrella... you're going to make yourself sick again." Logan stated as Patton now sat with a towel around him on his couch. He used the smaller one in his hands to dry off Patton's hair.

Patton let out a small laugh at the contact making Logan stop and pull his hands away a light blush dusting his cheeks.

"Sorry." He apologized. "I'll try to be more careful because next time. What time is it?"

"Nearly midnight." Logan replied.

"It's that late??" Patton asked surprising himself. "Wow I'm sorry..."

"No matter I was still awake." Logan replied. "Did you really not comprehend what time it was?"

"No... I mean I guess I should of figured since I only just caught the last bus and had to run most of the way, but I don't really sleep well at night so I kind of lose track of time..." Patton explained.

Logan frowned in worry, but didn't see much of a point in going into it right now. "Well there's no use going home now. You can sleep here. In my room or on the couch if satisfactory."

Patton suddenly felt himself get really flustered at the though of sleeping in his crush's room. His face burned and his voice shook. "T-The couch is f-fine! Thank you!"

"Alright." Logan replied only semi-confused. "If you want you can borrow some of my clothes to be more comfortable."

Patton looked away feeling like he could die of embarrassment. "That's okay! I'm practically dry already!"

"Very well, make yourself comfortable, I will be right back." Logan replied before standing.

Patton watched him go before falling across the couch into the pillows. Great job Patton, he totally thinks you're normal...

After that Patton fell asleep out of exhaustion and didn't remember the rest of the night, but he woke up with a blanket laid across him. Logan was the first up, and offered him breakfast but he denied saying he really should get home. So Logan walked him to the front door.

"Wait Patton." Said boy stopped him just before he walked out. He grabbed a jacket and wrapped it around him. "It's cold out there."

Patton recognized it as Logan's jacket, he'd seen him wear it a few times. It hung off of his frame a bit like it was a size or two bigger on him. He blushed lightly pushing his arms through to sleeves. "Thanks Logan. I'll um... see you Monday?"

"Until then." Logan smiled slightly at him.

/end flashback/

Patton smiled pulling the piece of clothing closer to his body at the memory as the bus sped down the streets. He felt his heart speed up and a content warmth spread through his body.

He was so lost in his own daydreams he almost missed his stop but realized just in time and jogged off the bus. He walked the short distance from the bus stop to his house and wandered in just as the hall clock hit 7:45 a.m.

There was no one in the office and not a sound throughout the house. Despite it being Saturday Patton knew his parents had gone to work. They almost never stay home when they can get extra jobs done. They probably didn't even notice he wasn't there all night and morning.

Patton let out a sigh before heading upstairs to his bathroom taking a quick shower, and getting dressed. He was in the middle of brushing his teeth when his phone chimed a few times.

He let the toothbrush dangle from his mouth as he picked it up and unlocked it.

Ashton: morrnin' Peppy!
Ashton: You got any plans today?

Patton: No, why?

He typed a reply and then rinsed while waiting for an answer. When he finished there was already another message.

Ashton: cause I'm bored as all hell and need to get out. Wanna hang out?

Patton smiled feeling a bit of excitement. Aside from going to the festival with Logan, he hadn't made plans with a friend over the weekend in like... well ever. Him and Roman used to explore the neighborhood when they were little, but that was about it, and that was so long ago he hardly remembered it.

Patton: Sure. When? Where?

He replied almost immediately.

Ashton: In about an hour. I'll pick you up. Is that fine?

Patton: Sure thing See you soon!

-&-

True to his word Ashton showed up an hour later. Patton smiled as he walked down the path from his front door. "You don't have your bike." He pointed out looking at the car.

"Nah figured this would be warmer." Ashton replied casually. "Its actually my neighbors. He's old and doesn't get out much, so he lets me use it from time to time."

"That's nice." Patton replied. "So! Where are we going?"

"Well hop on in and I'll show ya!" Ashton replied.

Patton smiled happy to see Ashton in such a great mood. He always noticed Ashton's demeanor around school, or just in general. He never really seemed to be upbeat unless he was out somewhere. Almost like he was escaping... but from what? Patton wanted to know. He wanted to help, but he could also tell that Ashton was one of those people who doesn't let others dive too deep into their personal life, and he was too afraid that if he did Ashton would just end up closing himself off for good.

"Alright!" Patton chirped getting into the passenger side door.

-&-

Ashton laughed at one of Patton's classic dad jokes as they walked down the paved path of the park.

"Why are we eating ice cream when it's nearly winter?" Patton asked taking a bite of the sugary cone once he got to it.

"There is never a wrong time to eat ice cream." Ashton said pretending to be offended.

Patton smiled. "Touché."

They continued along the path until they got into the wooded area of the park and the cement beneath their feet transitioned into wood planks that kept them elevated above the few inches of water that had flooded the entire forest floor.

"It is almost winter... I'm surprised the leaves haven't completely fallen off the trees yet." Patton replied finishing his ice cream and looking around at the gold orange and red around them. The sun was bright and shone through them like stained glass.

"Maybe that's a good sign." Ashton said casually walking with his hands in his pockets. Something about the way he said that made Patton curious.

"A good sign for what?" He asked.

Ashton looked at him as if he just realized what he said but then shrugged it off looking at the path ahead again. "I don't know a good year, a not so harsh winter, that kind of thing."

Patton nodded. Ashton obviously didn't mean it like that. He wanted to know... "So why did you ask me to hang out today?"

"Just needed to get out." He replied nonchalantly, his longer legs allowing him to be a few steps in front of the other.

"Why?" Patton asked gently.

Ashton suddenly stopped walking causing Patton to stop as well. He didn't look at him, and there was a few seconds of silence. His voice was quiet when he finally answered with another question. "What do you mean why?"

"Uh- um... I don't know." Patton replied. He was worried he'd said something wrong.

Ashton looked back at him and sighed. "I just like spending time with you Peppy..." he replied and then continued walking.

Patton followed a silence once again falling between them.

Ashton was the one to break it. "My mother used to always take me to the park in the fall... It was always her favorite time of year. The crisp air, the colors in the trees, the cool weather... She loved it all."

Patton was surprised he'd spoken. Maybe he sensed his curiosity. "My Mom used to play with me in the front yard in the fall... we never really went anywhere though, but it was still fun spending time with her. Then Roman would come over with his mom and him and I would go to try and collect the prettiest leaves while they talked on the front steps. We'd always bring them back to them. My mom still has a book with pressings of a lot of the leaves I gave her somewhere, but I don't think she's looked at it in a while..."

"Why not?" Ashton asked.

"I don't know..." Patton smiled sadly. "She Just doesn't seem to have much time anymore... she's working most of the time. I don't even get to say good night anymore. She used to always say goodnight to me and my brother. Even when we got a little older she would still come in our room and kiss us before bed. My brother hated it, but I didn't mind..."

"My Mom used to do that too..." Ashton smiled as if remembering a fond memory.

"I'm sorry... here I am complaining about not being able to spend time with my mom, when you don't even have the option...." Patton apologized his smile falling.

"Relax Peppy." Ashton chuckled before his voice grew quiet again. "Really It was six years ago when she died..."

He was only twelve... Patton thought to himself.

"I'm not saying I don't still miss her... but at least it doesn't bother me so much anymore." Ashton continued.

"I couldn't even imagine..." Patton trailed off. "But you said it gets easier?"

"Yeah I guess.....But Maybe not really..." his voice wavered on the last comment. He then suddenly shook his head as if composing himself. "But hey." He let a smile spread across his face. "I'm still here aren't I..?"

Hey guys, so I was gonna continue with a few more scenes but then this part would have been super long! So I'll try to get the next part up soon lol. A bit more cute logicality moments yay, and more Ashton. What are your opinions on him now? Vote and comment, bye!
~Hannah😋