John 8:32

24 - John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.

Spencer hadn't gone to school without Damien in almost five years. He and his father transferred to Saint Augustine's after his mom died and his dad got ordained, when Spencer was in seventh grade.

Not only that — public school scared him. He hadn't gone to a school that didn't have a uniform in... well, he hadn't ever. Spencer felt painfully underdressed walking to school in a t-shirt and shorts. Sure, he was thankful that he didn't have to endure the summer heat in his Saint Augustine's uniform, but it was comforting to an extent. He had grown used to wearing it. Without it, he felt vaguely naked.

The minute Spencer turned eighteen that June, he packed his bags and left his dad's house. He hardly bothered to leave a note. Damien had plenty of space for him, and it wasn't like his parents were home to care. When they did return in Mid-July for a brief stint they had questions, but Damien talked his way out of it. His parents didn't even care that they were sleeping in the same room.

Damien's house had plenty of guest rooms — but Spencer wasn't too into the concept of sleeping alone.

He'd have to get into it though, because Damien was moving back into Saint Augustine's today. Spencer didn't want him to go — and Damien didn't particularly want to either, but his parents were paying tuition and he didn't exactly get a chance. He couldn't live off campus either. It was only a ten minute drive between Saint Augustine's and Damien's house — but he wouldn't be seeing him at school every day. That part sucked.

Anything would be better than living in his father's house, though. He was only there for a month and a half after he found out Spencer was gay, and it was hell. He was going to confession once a week and Spencer couldn't even trust the confidentiality of Father Johnathan, so it wasn't like he could just talk about stupid shit.

He didn't even get to see Damien outside of school hours because his dad wouldn't let him leave. The only reason he didn't get absolutely flayed for that night he snuck out was because he went to church. His dad just assumed he was spending time with God or something. Sure, that's how it started. It ended with Spencer spending a little more time with Damien.

Spencer was really starting to regret not letting Joanna give him a ride to school. It wasn't exactly a long walk, but it wasn't short either. He was bored.

He didn't notice the footsteps running up behind him until they were right behind him, and then there was a familiar arm around his shoulder.

"Ready for your first day of senior year?" Damien grinned, like it was totally normal for him to be there. Like he wasn't supposed to be at Saint Augustine's right now.

"What the hell?" Spencer looked over to Damien, confused to say the least, "Why are you not at school?"

"I wanted to see you off," Damien shrugged like it was the most obvious thing in the world. He stepped back, slipping his hand into Spencer's as they walked, "I have a doctor's appointment."

He made dramatic air-quotes with his free hand as he spoke, grinning like he was proud of himself. He probably was.

"I don't need seeing off," Spencer laughed, not putting in much effort to fight it. He liked that Damien wanted to come say goodbye to him.

"It's a big day, of course you need seeing off," Damien nudged Spencer with his shoulder, "It's your first day of senior year!"

"It's your first day of senior year, too," Spencer shoved Damien back. If they weren't careful they'd end up pushing each other over.

"Yeah, but you're going to a different school," Damien pushed Spencer again, he always had to one-up him, "I'm just going to lame old Saint Augustine's."

Spencer decided he didn't want to try and shove Damien back, "I'm gonna miss you."

"Joanna's plenty of fun," Damien gently squeezed Spencer's hand, "You'll do alright with her. And I'll be home on the weekends."

"Yeah, but I'll still miss you," Spencer hummed, leaning his head into Damien's shoulder.

"Dork," Damien huffed, using his free hand to ruffle Spencer's hair.

"Shut up."

"Look what I fixed," Damien reached into his pocket, and pulled out a string of red beads.

Fuck. Spencer hadn't seen that rosary since Damien broke it. He had hardly thought about it since then. It was too tempting to go back. To return to the familiarity, the comfort. No matter how much that comfort hurt him.

"I don't want it."

"Hey, it's okay," Damien held it out to Spencer, "It's your mom's. Keep it in your backpack or something, or in a drawer back at home. You don't have to use it."

Spencer supposed that made sense.

"Okay, yeah," he nodded, taking the rosary and stuffing it in the pocket of his backpack, "You're right."

"I know I am," Damien hummed, "I always am."

Suddenly, the walk that felt so long wasn't so long, and they were at the entrance to campus.

"This is where I must leave you," Damien frowned, "Goodbye kiss?"

"You don't have to ask, Damien," Spencer laughed, pulling Damien in for a quick kiss. He wasn't sure if he'd ever get used to being able to do that in public now, "I love you."

"Love you too," Damien smiled, "I'll see you soon."

"See you soon."

Spencer couldn't help but watch for a few moments as Damien walked away, practically bouncing with each step.

It was fine. He could do this. Public school wasn't terrifying.

And if it sucked, he'd get to see Damien this weekend. Everything would be good as long as he could see Damien.