Ash couldn’t help the blush that had taken root on his cheeks since Jaxon offered to hold his hand. What started as small freckles of color had blossomed into petals dancing across his cheeks and nose. Even the tips of his ears were red, but this, atleast, Ash was blaming on the cold. They had walked around the outside of the cabin and went through the large garden Jaxon worked out back. It was late summer so there weren’t many crops, but there were still some flowers and hardy tubers that had yet to be pulled. Each bed had its own label that included its scientific name, generic name, transplant and harvest dates. Ash could only guess that Jaxon liked to be accurate when it came to both - he certainly didn’t offer any explanation as to either, but Ash didn’t mind. The genial comfort of his hand enveloping Ash in a blanket of warmth was more than enough to satisfy his curiosity for now. Autumn was fast approaching, and there was a chill in the air that caused each step the pair took to crunch slightly as the golden leaves gave way underfoot. Aside from the garden plots, trees of different species had been planted around the edge of the property bleeding into the forest line so it was hard to discern where nature had planted them or where Jaxon had. Their leaves were just beginning to turn, with shades of sage and turpentine turning into golden hues and bursts of orange. Ash loved fall for many reasons - breaking out the comfy sweaters, drinking hot chocolate, and staying inside under a blanket - but his absolute favorite was the smell. Autumn smelled like fallen leaves and midnight bonfires to him, which in turn made him think of the moonless sky filled to the brim with stars. Each star represents a distant galaxy, twinkling with ambition and its light travels through time and space. Some were so far away they would perish before their brilliance showed upon earth’s humble surface, but their sacrifice would not be in vain. Their light and the moon dust particles they would transform into would one day be responsible for creating another star - another light in the dark. Ash was grateful for the stars and the beauty they held. Despite making him feel so infinitesimal, they gave him a sense of comfort. Maybe because they were a reminder that nature and the universe would far outlive his existence and that even his mistakes would one day crumble to dust and be reborn as starlight to light the moonless world of another’s dream. 

“Ash?” Jaxon mumbled quietly while he squeezed his hand. Ash hadn’t realized he was lost in thought and had been staring at the golden leaves for a few minutes now. Of course Jaxon simply let him be and process. What he had shared earlier must have been very difficult for him, and whether he was still trying to contain his emotions or not, Jaxon was unsure. “I’m fine,” Ash quickly responded as his blush spread, “just thinking.” He then gave Jaxon’s hand a small squeeze in return and looked up at the taller man with a grin. “Thank you,” he all but whispered, “for caring.” With that, Ash took the lead and began walking away from the cabin and towards what looked to be a clearing in the forest. Jaxon held fast and followed without complaint knowing they were headed towards his personal sanctuary. Walking silently through the trees, following the gentle bends in the trail the two came upon a large meadow with a small glass building in the center. 

Just like the cabin, this structure looked to be handmade as well, but rather than wooden walls it was made almost exclusively out of green and blue glass. As they approached, Ash could only continue to stare at the craftsmanship and effort put into this one lone building in the woods. It stood maybe twelve feet high and the wooden frame was meticulously built with small carvings of leaves and flowers winding throughout. By now the two had reached the main door and Ash was running his hand along the delicate patterns, tracing the soft curves of the vines and remembering what names he could of the flowers that had been carved there and their meanings. There was borage for courage, dahlias for elegance, foxgloves for insecurity and so many more that he couldn’t remember. While one hand gently traced the carvings, his other was being squeezed by the very hand that crafted this abode. Looking away from the depictions and back towards Jaxon, Ash could see his grin deepening. Jaxon motioned with his other hand to look down and around their feet. Not quite understanding, Ash did as he was told and gasped at the dazzling display going on just beneath them. As the sun shone through the uppermost panels of the greenhouse, the light scattered into a million pin drops of turquoise and juniper that were dancing around them like fairies. Ash couldn’t help the echoing laugh of joy that escaped his chest and he squeezed Jaxon’s hand with the firmness of one who had a fervor for life. “It’s beautiful!” Ash practically sang as his eyes followed the sparking lights around them. He dropped his hand from the carving and instead slipped it into Jaxon’s unoccupied one so they could stand facing one another. “Thank you for showing me this,” he said with a large grin. “It’s like another world - one filled with light and wonderment.” His eyes sparkled as he spoke and he could see the look reflected in Jaxon’s pools of grey. Rather than the nod that Ash had come to expect, Jaxon chose to respond, saying, “this is my favorite place. I come here when things are too much.” Ash was beyond delighted! It was the most he had heard Jaxon speak and the fact he had taken Ash to some place so special to him and shared his feelings in the matter seemed incredibly significant. Not quite sure how to respond, Ash simply stepped closer and wrapped his small body around Jaxon’s waist. He snuggled his face into Jaxon’s chest, breathing in his scent deeply and relishing in the warmth. Pleasantly, Jaxon folded his arms around the smaller man’s frame and rested his head on Ash’s flaxen locks. They stayed like that - breathing in one another and enjoying the stillness. 

Finally, Jaxon’s grip began to loosen and he pulled his head back to look down at Ash. Both were smiling softly. “Come inside,” Jaxon said kindly as he then led Ash towards the greenhouse door. As soon as he opened the panel, the air became as thick as clouds and it smelled ripely of fresh dirt and soil. One wall of the greenhouse was filled with budding plants, each tray with a different label and date. The other wall held seeds and seedlings in various stages of growth, again meticulously labeled and arranged so even the smallest of sprouts received ample sunlight. The floor of the greenhouse was almost entirely dirt, but there were exposed patches or wood here and there. Ash could only assume that under the soil a hardwood floor was once visible. Almost shivering outside, Ash was delighted with how warm the greenhouse was despite the bitterness just outside the glass. Just as before, Ash took his time looking at every plant and reading each label meticulously while Jaxon followed close behind. A few times, Ash would step back into Jaxon’s chest just to feel the tingling of electricity to make sure everything that was happening was real. The two didn’t realize it, but the day had passed them by and soon the sun was to set atop the trees. 

 Usually Ash spent Saturday mornings sleeping in as long as possible before dragging himself out of bed to do whatever arduous chores needed to be completed around his home. His parents were rarely home until evening, yet insisted Ash stay home as a good omega and either look over the accounts or ensure the house is presentable if any guests stop by. Today’s adventure was nothing like that. Today, Ash felt as if he could breathe for the first time in years. The dread he usually felt upon waking up was nowhere to be seen, and with Jaxon by his side Ash felt beyond elated. It was a highly inordinate occurrence, but beautiful nonetheless. If only Ash could figure out the odd prickling sensation at the back of his mind - was he forgetting something? What could it be? His parents would be out of the house today like normal, but he was supposed to spend this morning cleaning and making himself presentable for a reason… for… someone. Suddenly his stomach dropped and he let go of Jaxon’s hand instinctively. Jaxon looked down at his hand quickly with the loss of contact, unsure what just happened and why the atmosphere suddenly felt so heavy and unbreathable. “I have to go,” Ash squeaked out with a small quiver of fear underlying his confession. “I’m supposed to be meeting Stephen tonight.”