Save You As I Save My Life (Jasico)

Chapter 21: Graduation, College, and all those wonderful things.

Nico was pacing, for the fiftieth time today. Jason was in his full graduation outfit, and Nico honestly thought he was going to cry, hands fluttering around Jason's face (careful to avoid the stitches, however), kissing his forehead, laughing at small things Jason did or said. He was just so...proud, that this was his boyfriend, this man that was decked out in beautiful colors, graduating near top of the c;ass from Ember high school...He teared up, clapping a hand over his mouth. Will, Cecil and Lou Ellen stalked into the room, Will going to lay an arm around Nico. 

"My my, you look handsome!" Cecil snapped a few pictures, grinning, and then winked at Jason. "If you weren't taken, I'd try you on."

"shut up, they're just the graduation robes." He mumbled, tugging on the sleeve. The classroom soon became crowded with their friends, there was Piper, and Chris (yes, the same one from the tuxedo shop), Jake, Hazel, Frank, Bianca...They were all telling Jason to hurry, they were lining up. he swore and rushed from the room, Nico and Will trailing after him. the rest of the students laughed, it looked sort of like a runaway king and his servants. 

Now, nobody forgot about Jason's accident. He still had the scars, the cuts, the marks, everything. But they had friends that were a-mazing  with make up, and....Jason looked as amazing as ever when they were done. It stung, but he held his head up and pushed through it. 

"Good afternoon everyone!"

Jason ran faster, he had to get to his spot! He felt a stitch pop,. it didn't matter. He had to graduate. 

"we would like to welcome you to the graduation Ceremony for the Ember High class of 2015!!" 

He dove to his spot beside two girls, and stood, panting, not letting the blood seep through the gowns. He knew the bandages would hold most of it....hopefully...

He saw his dad and sister in the crowd and waved, smiling wide. Oh, they were going to cry, he knew...wait a minute....?

Nico was grinning, sitting in the crowd next to a mop of messy, skater styled hair, and a boy of Latin decent, curly hair frizzy in the humid air. He burst out laughing, much to the shock of the other students. the woman giving the speech merely rose an eyebrow, but kept talking. 

Percy and Leo showed up for his graduation. 

-+-

People walked across the stage, slowly, accepting their certificate, smiling and thanking everyone. No one was dry eyed, himself included. 

"Jason Grace!"

This was it. this was his last, shining, glittery moment as a high school senior. His last time ever walking this stage, seeing these rooms and halls as a victim of their work, his last time embarrassing himself in front of everyone at talent shows, last time rocking out in his basement to rock band with his friends....he looked out into the crowd as he walked the stage. he swallowed down his tears, though a few escaped his clutching hold and slid down his cheeks. 

He took a shuddering breath as he was handed his certificate. He thanked the woman kindly - His favorite teacher, Mrs. Diana - and walked off stage. 

And that was that. He broke down after that, he leaned on his friend Dakota, trying his hardest to keep it all quiet. the roar of the crowd covered it mostly though, and he was led backstage, where three boys and a couple girls were having the same reaction. they all looked at each other, and then hugged. Hugged, for the last time, in this place, in this moment. 

And then it ended. 

They walked out to see the last boy - Octavian Zachariah - walk across the stage. He made a small noise of sadness as they took off their hats on stage, and threw them up into the air. he stared out into the crowd as they fell back to earth, damned gravity, before they picked them up, and walked off stage. He gasped softly when arms went around his waist, but he relaxed when he heard the voice. 

"You're amazing."

He sighed again, and then kissed Nicos forehead, turning around. "I popped a stitch when I ran. I need to get back to the hospital. we can get the others around and have a small party there, we cleared it through Eren beforehand." Jason hummed, and then began walking. Nico's face was a little upset, and he began telling Jason how he should have taken better care of himself, yadda yadda yadda. 

They arrived quickly, with Percy, Leo, Cecil, Lou Ellen, Will, Jake, Thalia, Reyna, BIanca, and of course, Jason's father. 

Jason smiled when they finished fixing him up and got him out of the robes, into bed. There was a giant cake waiting in the room, and written on top in blue and black frosting was the most heart warming thing ever. I love you, Jason. You're amazing, happy graduation. 

He looked at his dad, eyes wide, mouth hanging open, and blushed. "Did you-?"

The tall blond man simply nodded and smiled slightly. Nico crawled onto the bed beside Jason, fingers lightly tracing his chest. He smiled. "I love you, you did good today." 

Jason grinned, and then looked over the cake again. What he hadn't noticed before were pictures of him and Nico, and all of their moments, laughing, smiling, even a few somber ones of them gathered around Lou Ellens pet cat, dead, sitting in a small hole in Jason's back yard. he smiled fondly. 

The one that stood out most was a picture of him and Nico asleep on the younger boys bed, curled together peacefully. His cheeks flared red. 

"Jason likes his cake." Cecil smirked, shaking the mans foot. 

"I do. It's amazing." he shrugged, and then leaned over and ruffled Nico's hair. "I wish to taste it." He grinned, and then looked at Percy, who was pulling out plates and a knife. 

The party was pleasant, Jason and Nico had two slices of cake each and three cups of soda (someone, namely Will, bought thirty whole two liters of assorted beverages, and they got through fifteen of them) It was funny watching the nurses freak out when Jason's heart monitor sped up significantly, as Nico had kissed him. 

"I love you." Nico whispered, eyes flashing down. Jason smiled and caught his head, and his lips. 

"I love you too."