I just want to let my readers know that it may take me more time than usual to post from now on. Classes start at university in a few days. But I will try to have one up at least every other week.
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A few months had passed since the incident. Paul and the other boys had all been charged with assault. Mrs. Lockheart had given up her career as a wedding planner to home school her son. It was winter, and it was colder than usual that year. Ezra constantly shivered, even with the heater on and blankets around him. It was below freezing and Christmas was getting closer. Mrs. Lockheart was gone shopping for gifts with her sister, so the boys had the house to themselves for the first time in a while.
Brady was looking forward to a nice day alone with Ezra. He made a mug of hot chocolate, topped it with whipped cream, and carried it to his boyfriend.
"This should warm you up," Brady said softly.
Ezra sipped at the sweet, warm drink and smiled distantly. He tilted his head up and Brady kissed him, running his tongue over Ezra's lips to clean away the whipped cream.
"You taste sweet," Brady joked.
Ezra smiled and finished his drink. Brady held him and they fell asleep. Brady was the first to wake and when he glanced outside he thought he was still sleeping. He'd never seen it in his life, but it was really happening.
"Ezra, wake up!" Brady said.
Ezra's eyes popped open and he looked around nervously.
"Ezra, snow!" Brady took Ezra by the hand and got their jackets on.
Ezra was amazed by the falling white clouds of snow and flinched when one landed on his nose. The two boys stood for a while with the snow falling.
Brady looked down at Ezra, with melting tufts of snowflakes in his hair, and he smiled. He leaned down and kissed Ezra softly.
"Are you too cold?" Brady asked.
Ezra shook his head no and picked up a stick and wrote 'I Love You' in the snow. Brady laughed and swept Ezra up into his arms. Ezra was smiling more than Brady had seen in a long time. Brady kissed him playfully, but soon Ezra had his arms around Brady's neck and their tongues were dancing around each other.
Brady carried Ezra into the house and in record time, set Ezra down, removed both their jackets and shoes, and then picked him up again and carried him to their bedroom. Brady carefully laid Ezra down and kissed him again. Brady was on top of him, but always careful not to rest too much weight on him.