Boarding School~Ryden

10 (Epilogue + Character Q&A)

I used to hate snow.

It's cold and wet and represents Winter. And Christmas. As a kid, I didn't have much Christmas Cheer. One year, when I was 12, I got locked out of the house Christmas morning.

But everything is different now.

I glance around the room. We're at Jac's house for Vacation, and Brendon is bonelessly curled up in my lap, sighing happily as I pet his hair. Lauren is smiling secretively at Jac, who is taking big sips of coffee from a mug. Their pinkies are intertwined together, and I can see a faint hickey poking up from the top of Lauren's flannel pajamas.

Life... life is good.

Brendon, my Brendon, smiles sleepily up at me. "Merry Christmas, baby." He says gently, soft enough that it's a private moment between the two of us.

"Merry Christmas." I echo. He gives me a heart-melting grin before sitting up. "Presents." He says simply, and Lauren giggles. "I second that notion."

Jac nods, smiling as her mom enters the room. "Morning, kids!" She says cheerfully. "I made Hot Chocolate, but I see that Jac already got into the coffee.." She says disapprovingly. Jac grins.

I accept my mug, and Brendon takes his. "Thanks, Aunt Kathleen!" He calls after Jac's Mom. She smiles and waves. I blink, glancing at Lauren, who is whispering something in Jac's ear, then I return my gaze to Brendon.

"Aunt Kathleen?" I ask, and Brendon raises an eyebrow. "Yeah?" He says, and I look at Jac. "Are your parents friends, or something?"

Jac blinks. "You didn't tell him, Brendon?" She asks disapprovingly, and Brendon shrugs nonchalantly. "I assumed you did."

"Oh. No, never did." She says, grinning. "We're cousins."

I choke on my drink. "What?!" I cry, and she nods. "Mhm. We were really close when we were little kids."

"You called Brendon a faggot the first time we talked!" I say, and she snorts. "Yeah, I did. I was messing with you, Ry."

"Why'd you think I was so horrified when I found out you two were going to the party together?" Brendon asks, and I shrug. "I thought you assumed she was a slut."

"I am." Jac says proudly. Lauren pouts. "Oh, no, baby, I'm YOUR slut." She says dramatically to Lauren. I'm about to throw in a comment of my own when Brendon taps my wrist.

"Merry Christmas." He repeats, tracing a finger along my cheekbone. I grin, shaking my head. "You said that, Urie. Getting repetitive."

He smiles, kissing my nose, and God: I'm melting like butter. "I know. It's just... a nice holiday, for once." He says, taking my hands. I nod.

"I got a present for you." He mumbles, and I glance at a messily wrapped package with my name scribbled on it. It's so Brendon.

"It's small." I comment, and Brendon grins. "Good things, small packages." He teases, and I roll my eyes, tearing open the paper and blinking, my cheeks heating up.

"If you want." He says quickly, putting a hand on my knee. "I'm ready, if... if you are."

"You didn't buy lube." Is all I say, examining the foil wrapper like it holds all the worlds greatest secrets.

Brendon's hands are trembling slightly. I glance at him.

He's scared to look into my eyes.

I take his hand, squeezing. "I have some in my suitcase. We can do it whenever, B. As gentle or as rough as you want it, wherever, anything you want." I promise, and his grip tightens around my hand. "Tonight? Guest bedroom?" He requests, and I smile slowly. "It'd be my pleasure to deflower such an innocent little virgin in there." I tease. He rolls his eyes, kissing me gently. I can't help it if I bite down on his lip a little in the process. Fuck, he's ready!

"Open mine." I say, handing him a neatly wrapped package. He smiles, messily tearing it apart and frowning as he pulls out a silver can. Dry Shampoo.

"Do you get it?" I ask, laughing, and Brendon's eyes widen in understanding. "You fucking dork." He breathes, and I hardly have time to laugh harder before he kisses me.

I sigh happily as he pulls away, a smile on his face. "I love you." He mumbles. I'll never get tired of hearing those words.

As our lips meet in an embrace again, Jac and Lauren giggling sweetly in the background, I realize something vital.

It doesn't get much better than this.

And I laugh against Brendon's lips, because considering where we started out, it's the funniest thing I've ever heard.

***
Woah. Boarding School is over. Still processing that.

But anyway, two things for you guys!!! 1, I'm open for doing Bonus Chapters, so if you'd want any specific ones, comment on the line that says "BONUS CHAPTER REQUESTS" down below!! Some ideas could be Jac and Brendon as kids, Brendon and Ryan's first time, Chapters from other people's POV, alternative endings, etc. I'll choose a few!!

Also, Character Q + A!!! I'll write some characters down, and you can comment questions you may have for them! This can be about their past, about their future, personality stuff, about any actions in the book, etc. Please comment your questions for them ON THEIR NAME.

BONUS CHAPTER REQUESTS (Write them on this line)

QUESTIONS FOR RYAN

QUESTIONS FOR BRENDON

QUESTIONS FOR JAC

QUESTIONS FOR LAUREN

QUESTIONS FOR LINA (ME)

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS

Thanks for reading!