angel baby (heavy editing)

50. final chapter.

FOUR MONTHS LATER

         Oliver was valedictorian. Apparently, he was the top graduating student. When he was called on that podium to give a speech to all graduating students and their family and friends, all he could see was Chris who sat at the second row with his friends smiling at him with stars in his eyes, as if Oliver was the best thing he'd ever seen. What had he done to deserve that kind of love? He managed to give , he hoped to God, was a decent speech. The standing ovation he received assured him he had. Like he knew his mother couldn't pay everyone present to hype her son and his mother wasn't like that anymore. Besides, Vivi (his greatest enemy) stood up and that was all the reassurance he needed.
        After the ceremony, Oliver and Chris left the hall hand in hand to walk towards where their mothers stood with thier spouse. From afar, Oliver saw his parents speaking with persons after persons and Lia and Lena stood feet away whispering to each other. He also noticed Emilia whose hand was held by Lia. Oliver had initially felt bad that his sister loved Lia and Chris more than him but he hadn't been the best brother to her. It was one of his biggest regrets but it was too late for that. She still young. He could easily redeem himself in her eyes he had been trying.
Lia sighted them first and alerted the rest.
"Our boys!" His mother exclaimed loudly. She had a camera pointed at them, "Smile, boys"
Instead of smiling, Oliver turned to face kiss, cupped his face in his palms and kissed right there in public where the whole world could see. He didn't give a flying fuck. Chris immediately responded and moved closer to him. He just wanted to take Chris somewhere and do naughty things with him. The day had gone long enough but his mother had planned a big graduation dinner for them and he would never hear the end of it if Chris missed it because it didn't matter whether it was Chris' fault or not, he would still get blamed. It was just kidding. It was all fun and games and he didn't mind.
      Later, they sat at the five star restaurant his parents had rented out, rich people and wasting money, with all seven of them seated.
"So your mother tells me you boys are leaving the country by weekend. To France"
Oliver nodded on their behalf. They had been planning for months now but only told their mothers the week before. His mother had downright disagreed claiming they were still too young. Lia had not vocally disagreed but he could tell by the look in her eyes that she wasn't totally supportive of it. When evening came and both of them had had time to think about it, they had reluctantly agreed and his mother had taken over because her two favorite boys deserved to stay in best place alone.
Elites. Face palms.
And on another note, Oliver's relationship with his father was still as shaky as ever but once they got back from the trip, which would take at least five months because they were traveling to other places but thier parents didn't know, he would work on it, work on them. Life was too short.
      
            Oliver shut the boot of his car once he got their last luggages in. Thier flight wouldn't leave for another two hours but they had decided to leave early because what did they have to lose? Besides, the tears, like the one his mother had in her eyes, was getting too  much. They needed to leave. He was also very happy Chris was more comfortable with his mother but they still needed to leave.
It wasn't that he wouldn't miss his family. He would. Just like Chris, their trip was going to be his first time away from his family for that extended period of time. He was just as sheltered as Chris but they had to do this and they had each other.
         Many hugs, face kisses, questions like "I hope you got everything" "if you need a thing, call me" and numerous "I love yous", they were finally allowed to leave.
On their way to the airport, it was silent between them. Oliver studied Chris a few times. He could see the excitement in his eyes but he could also see the nerves. Hell, he was nervous too. He was a nervous wreck. But they were together and they had each other. He knew how much of a big deal this trip was to Chris. It would be the second biggest battle of his life but he would be there every step of the way. Always.
"We're doing this" he said breaking the silence.
Chris turned to face him. They had been together for months now but the flutter he got in his chest everytime Chris looked his way was still there, even more than before. He didn't know that would ever happen to him. He loves their relationship so much. He loves the growth between them. He loved the trust between them.
Chris nodded at his statement.
"I'm scared", he whispered.
Oliver wanted to stop driving and just hug him. He would when they reached the airport. He would hold him so tight and assure him of his presence.
"Yeah? Me too"
Chris looked surprised at that.
"Really?"
"Yes of course but you make it better"
"No you make it better"
Oliver didn't say anything else knowing they would go back and forth. Once Chris realized this, he smiled at him. He smiled back.
"I love you Chris"
"I love you too Ollie"
Ugh, that nickname.
"I was thinking. Do you remember that abandoned rail road we used to hang out in?"
The place where it all began.
Chris nodded.
"Want to see it one last time before we go?"
They had at least an hour of extra time in their hands. 
Chris nodded eagerly. Oliver smiled at him then drove in that direction.
He turned to face Chris one more time. He could see his forever.

THE END.

(I'M CRYING ACTUAL TEARS. LoL. Not really but I have no words honestly. A very very short bonus chapter and acknowledgement next)